Nueva York, 29 de octubre de 2023.- Despite the considerable resources and efforts allocated by the Cuban State to the development of the agricultural sector, the impact of the blockade in this area is notable. Between March 2022 and February 2023, damages worth $273,390,800 are recorded.
The negative impact of the blockade on access to inputs, raw materials, chemical products and technologies for production processes has caused a considerable decrease in national production.
The Spanish-Cuban joint company Bravo S.A. could have acquired 384 more tons of meat raw materials and produced 626.2 tons of finished product in the period under analysis, if it had been able to be supplied directly from the US market.
Also highlighted is the impossibility of acquiring medicines for the livestock population, which were mostly obtained from the German company Bayer, which, after its merger with a US consortium, stopped doing business with Cuba.
During the period, the Cuban company Alimport reported damages in the amount of 35,200,000 dollars, which represents 90% of all losses declared by the importing entities of the Cuban Foreign Trade Business Group.
These damages were due, to a large extent, to the refusal of a dozen banks to process payments to the company's traditional suppliers for the supply of food, including oats, vegetable grain, cocoa, pork feed, among others.
The financial limitations that occur as a result and cumulative effect of the blockade against Cuba, the increase in prices and the difficulties in accessing raw materials have also affected national food production.
The blockade also deprives the national industry of financing to import the necessary inputs for food production.
Under permits subject to restrictions imposed by law, Cuba can commercially acquire limited agricultural products in the United States, but is obliged to pay in advance, and without access to credit, which is extremely difficult when, at the same time, the sources of income of the country. In these circumstances of financial harassment, the efforts of the Cuban government to ensure the regulated family food basket are incalculable.
In 2023, the regulated family basket was planned at 1,648,000,000 dollars. Only with one third of the amount of the damages caused by the blockade between March 2022 and February 2023, all expenses for this concept could be covered, for the benefit of our population.
On November 1 and 2, the General Assembly will consider and vote on the aforementioned draft resolution “Need to end the economic, financial and commercial blockade of the United States against Cuba.” Once again, the international community will raise its voice and overwhelmingly reject this unjust, illegal and cruel policy.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations