Shortages

Shortages
Posted on March 23, 2013

A recent tour through Nuevo Vedado revealed shortages at the area's
produce markets. It is worse in the state-run stores, where shelves are
completely bare, while those still in use hold little merchandise. The
situation is better in the private markets, where the available
merchandise is of better quality, the selection is greater and, as you
might expect, the prices are higher. In spite of constant harassment by
authorities, the so-called carretillero, or street vendors, also offer
wide selection and good quality, though also at higher prices. People
ask, "What's going on?"

It seems that, in spite of "the successful accomplishment of established
goals and productive achievements" touted by the official media, the
reality is quite different. Once a week potatoes — a crop completely
controlled by the state — will appear on a few shelves at state-run
markets, prompting long lines. Stores have been unable to guarantee a
steady supply.

Without steady production there cannot be a stable supply. If the
systems for harvesting and distributing a crop are not working properly,
the product will not reach the consumer, to whom it is ultimately
targeted. Until production, harvesting and distribution of crops is
freed up and everything is transferred to private hands, trying to
preserve the state's monopoly against all odds will not produce results.
All the efforts over many years at getting the system to work have
failed. It has proved inefficient. Now is the time to abandon it and
stop playing around with the nation's food supply.

21 March 2013

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