The recent potato harvest in Artemisa, Cuba, has fallen below expectations, with only 3,600 tons of potatoes harvested compared to the projected 5,600 tons across several municipalities, including Güira de Melena, San Antonio de los Baños, and Alquízar. This shortfall has been attributed to lower yields from the 280 hectares that were planted, resulting in an average yield of 14.5 tons per hectare. Miguel Sanchez García, the general director of the Agricultural and Forestry Business Group of the province, identified inadequate irrigation due to continuous electrical outages and adverse weather conditions as primary contributing factors.
While potatoes from state seeds met the planned objectives, those from imported seeds faced challenges. The province encountered eight critical electrical outages during a crucial growth period, impacting overall production. Despite these obstacles, the harvested potatoes have been able to meet the family ration requirements in the province, supply seven markets in Havana, and fulfill the demands of the Frutas Selectas Company. Each resident in the province has been able to purchase eight pounds of potatoes since the commencement of the harvest.
The scarcity and elevated prices of potatoes in Cuba have resulted in heightened customer dissatisfaction and incidents of theft, underscoring the importance of this staple vegetable in the Cuban diet. A recent theft of 1,293 pounds of potatoes in Havana’s Plaza de la Revolución municipality has drawn attention to the challenges of managing this essential food resource. Authorities are investigating the incident, with a focus on market administration irregularities to address the broader issues impacting the market dynamics and supply chain of potatoes in the region.
