In a recent statement, Domestic Trade Minister Betsy Díaz Velasquez announced a “very favorable” situation for the distribution of most of the products in the regulated family basket associated with February in the country.
Thanks to the extraction operations of two ships before the 20th, seven pounds of rice per person was guaranteed, he pointed out.
However, Díaz Velázquez also pointed to persistent challenges in supply cycles, such as delays in timely availability of goods and difficulties in transportation.
The minister explained to the Cuban News Agency (ACN) that although the first five pounds of rice will arrive in fractions to all the provinces, Camagüey and Las Dunas will have to wait for the third shipment to complete the seven pounds.
The Vietnamese government donated rice, allowing two pounds to be distributed free of charge in Guantanamo, one in Artemisa and the other in Granma. Díaz Velázquez highlighted the availability of pea supplies, confirming deliveries in January and February in several provinces, with factories completing deliveries in February.
The Minister announced that distribution of 20 ounces of beans would be made according to February and March, as well as oil, coffee, chicken (except for quarterly distribution in rural areas), compote and salt. As for sugar, it faces difficulties and its distribution depends on the sugar mills during the harvest, while its transportation to Havana and other regions is organized and guaranteed.
Díaz Velázquez said that the cleaning work has been completed and food blocks will be distributed to vulnerable people, pregnant women and underweight children.
