The Ministry of Domestic Trade (Mincin) in Cuba is facing questions about the shortage of salt in the country. While the ministry claims that industry deliveries are being met and that the December arrears are completed in several provinces, many Cubans have been complaining about the lack of salt. The main salt mines in the country have attributed the problem to distribution issues, leading to delays in delivering the product to many Cuban wineries. As a result, some individuals have resorted to purchasing salt on the black market at unaffordable prices.
The ministry has assured that the salt shortage situation in Cuba should improve by the end of the month. Currently, the price of salt on sales platforms in Cuba ranges from 150 to 500 cups, depending on the grams. Last year, a report from the Cubadebate portal highlighted the instability in the commercialization of salt in the country, pointing out that transportation problems have contributed to the delivery deficit to customers.
The demand for salt in the family basket in Cuba is normally 7,300 tons per quarter, but distribution is not consistent for all months or family units. It is worth noting that difficulties with the production and supply of salt in Cuba are not new, with recurring shortages reaching maximum levels in recent times. Despite promising results at the beginning of the last decade, a trend of shortages has emerged in the past five years. The Cuban government will need to address these issues to ensure that essential products are readily available for its citizens.