US-Cuba Trade : No Cash No Chicken

[Nino]

Embargo ? What embargo - show me your cash and take the chicken ...

 

Food purchases from Cuba to the United States fall to the level of 2002

The most plausible explanation for the reduction in imports is the island's lack of liquidity in foreign currency.

14ymedio, Havana | February 19, 2021

https://www.14ymedio.com/cuba/compras-alimentos-Cuba-EEUU_0_3043495635.html

 

Imports of food and medicine from the United States fell by 36.6% in Cuba last year compared to 2019. The island's food purchases from American companies, published the US-Cuba Economic and Commercial Council this February , indicate that they added just over 163 million dollars during 2020, when the previous year they were almost 258 million dollars. This represents the lowest trade between the two countries since 2002.

This decrease in imports is reflected in a greater shortage in Cuban markets. The United States is the largest supplier of chicken to the island, a fact that the Cuban Government never publishes, which usually uses the "blockade" to justify the economic crisis and the shortage of supplies in the country.

In fact, of all the foods that the northern country exports to Cuba, which include soybeans, corn, calcium phosphate and corn, frozen chicken accounts for 87%.

Given that transactions with the United States must be paid in cash and in advance, something established in the Law of Reform of Trade Sanctions and Strengthening of Exports of 2000, the most plausible explanation for this reduction in imports is the lack of liquidity in currencies of the Cuban counterpart.

The import of medicines from the US was $ 936,000 and humanitarian donations, just over four and a half million dollars.

In the last 18 years, since December 2001, the Council records, exports of agricultural products and food from the United States to Cuba amount to more than 6,000 million dollars.

The economist Pedro Monreal highlights that, according to statistics, "2019 was the record year." Despite the 2020 crisis, he points out, "US exports of tons of chicken in 2020 ranks fourth in the entire 2001-2020 period."

In addition, he assures that between January and December 2020, chicken exports from the United States to Cuba "have fluctuated, but stabilized since July."

It is a product that, given the shortage of other sources of protein such as pork, eggs or beef, has become essential for Cubans, who stand in long lines to get it.

Another supplier of white meat is Brazil, which between March and May 2020 grew its sales to Cuba by 87%, according to official Brazilian data published last June.

Monreal explained then that since February 2020 the purchase of the product in the international market had increased, but that it remained "at levels lower than those of mid-2019, which explains the current shortage."

The lower availability of frozen chicken forced the authorities to ration the amount of the product that each customer can buy in the network of state stores in the released market. It was also a severe blow to the private sector, which had to reduce its supply of dishes in the absence of a supply of breast or whole chickens, since most of the state sale was of thighs and hindquarters.

In mid-2016 the authorities decreed a slight reduction in the prices of various foods. Among the products that benefited at the time were frozen chicken pieces that are sold in boxes of between 10 and 23 kilograms, a measure that encouraged purchase, especially among small private businesses that offer chicken on their menu.

However, it is no longer possible to buy complete boxes of the product that are only sold in this format in stores in freely convertible currency. The resale of the merchandise in the informal market can reach up to double the price. This week a 7.5 kilogram box of chicken breast cost in clandestine networks about 3,000 pesos, about 125 dollars.

[PuroDan]

1 hour ago, nino said:

Embargo ? What embargo - show me your cash and take the chicken ...

 

Food purchases from Cuba to the United States fall to the level of 2002

 

The most plausible explanation for the reduction in imports is the island's lack of liquidity in foreign currency.

14ymedio, Havana | February 19, 2021

https://www.14ymedio.com/cuba/compras-alimentos-Cuba-EEUU_0_3043495635.html

 

 

 

Imports of food and medicine from the United States fell by 36.6% in Cuba last year compared to 2019. The island's food purchases from American companies, published the US-Cuba Economic and Commercial Council this February , indicate that they added just over 163 million dollars during 2020, when the previous year they were almost 258 million dollars. This represents the lowest trade between the two countries since 2002.

This decrease in imports is reflected in a greater shortage in Cuban markets. The United States is the largest supplier of chicken to the island, a fact that the Cuban Government never publishes, which usually uses the "blockade" to justify the economic crisis and the shortage of supplies in the country.

In fact, of all the foods that the northern country exports to Cuba, which include soybeans, corn, calcium phosphate and corn, frozen chicken accounts for 87%.

Given that transactions with the United States must be paid in cash and in advance, something established in the Law of Reform of Trade Sanctions and Strengthening of Exports of 2000, the most plausible explanation for this reduction in imports is the lack of liquidity in currencies of the Cuban counterpart.

The import of medicines from the US was $ 936,000 and humanitarian donations, just over four and a half million dollars.

 

In the last 18 years, since December 2001, the Council records, exports of agricultural products and food from the United States to Cuba amount to more than 6,000 million dollars.

The economist Pedro Monreal highlights that, according to statistics, "2019 was the record year." Despite the 2020 crisis, he points out, "US exports of tons of chicken in 2020 ranks fourth in the entire 2001-2020 period."

In addition, he assures that between January and December 2020, chicken exports from the United States to Cuba "have fluctuated, but stabilized since July."

It is a product that, given the shortage of other sources of protein such as pork, eggs or beef, has become essential for Cubans, who stand in long lines to get it.

Another supplier of white meat is Brazil, which between March and May 2020 grew its sales to Cuba by 87%, according to official Brazilian data published last June.

Monreal explained then that since February 2020 the purchase of the product in the international market had increased, but that it remained "at levels lower than those of mid-2019, which explains the current shortage."

The lower availability of frozen chicken forced the authorities to ration the amount of the product that each customer can buy in the network of state stores in the released market. It was also a severe blow to the private sector, which had to reduce its supply of dishes in the absence of a supply of breast or whole chickens, since most of the state sale was of thighs and hindquarters.

In mid-2016 the authorities decreed a slight reduction in the prices of various foods. Among the products that benefited at the time were frozen chicken pieces that are sold in boxes of between 10 and 23 kilograms, a measure that encouraged purchase, especially among small private businesses that offer chicken on their menu.

However, it is no longer possible to buy complete boxes of the product that are only sold in this format in stores in freely convertible currency. The resale of the merchandise in the informal market can reach up to double the price. This week a 7.5 kilogram box of chicken breast cost in clandestine networks about 3,000 pesos, about 125 dollars.

 

Great article man!!!

[anacostiakat]

Thanks Nino!    Have been wondering what (if anything) the new administration here in the US might do policy-wise.  So far not a peep.  

[Kevin48438]

Why aren’t there chicken and egg industries in Cuba?

[dgixxer252525]

Great article! We collectively need to open our eyes and accept that what the Cuban people are going through is directly the fault of the Cuban govt. No outside countries are to blame...

 

Side note: I have been waiting for a link to the new song that is taking the island and the world by storm (at least for Cubans) called "Patria y Vida" by Gente de Zona and two members of "Movimiento San Isidro"...really groundbreaking stuff...

[Nino]

1 hour ago, dgixxer252525 said:

Side note: I have been waiting for a link to the new song that is taking the island and the world by storm (at least for Cubans) called "Patria y Vida" by Gente de Zona and two members of "Movimiento San Isidro"...really groundbreaking stuff...

Thanks !

Your wish is my order as we say here ?

Here is the link to Patria Y Vida ( and that is a MUCH better slogan than the tired Patria O Muerte ... ) plus the lyrics for you.

BTW : Gente de Zona is now fearing for their families & relatives in Cuba ...

https://www.14ymedio.com/cuba/Gente_de_Zona-Patria_y_vida_0_3043495633.html

 

 

"Patria Y Vida"
(feat. Maykel Osorbo & El Funky)
 

Y Eres tú mi canto de sirena
Porque con tu voz se van mis penas
Y Este sentimiento ya está añejo
Tú me dueles tanto aunque estés lejos

Hoy yo te invito a caminar por mis solares
Pa' demostrarte de que sirven tus ideales
Somos humanos aunque no pensemos iguales
No nos tratemos ni dañemos como animales

Esta es mi forma de decírtelo
Llora mi pueblo y siento yo su voz
Tu cinco nueve yo doble dos
Sesenta años trancado el dominó
Bombo y platillo a los quinientos de la Habana
Mientras en casa en las cazuelas ya no tienen jama

Que celebramos si la gente anda deprisa
Cambiando al Che Guevara y a Martí por la divisa
Todo ha cambiado ya no es lo mismo
Entre tú y yo hay un abismo
Publicidad de un paraíso en Varadero
Mientras las madres lloran por sus hijos que se fueron

Se acabó, tu cinco nueve yo doble dos
Ya se acabó, sesenta años trancado el domino, mira
Se acabó, tu cinco nueve yo doble dos
Ya se acabó, sesenta año trancando el domino

Somos artistas, somos sensibilidad
La historia verdadera, no la mal contada
Somos la dignidad de un pueblo entero pisoteada
A punta de pistola y de palabras que aun son nada

No mas mentiras, mi pueblo pide libertad, no más doctrinas
Ya no gritemos Patria y Muerte sino Patria y Vida
Y empezar a construir lo que soñamos, lo que destruyeron con sus manos
Que no siga corriendo la sangre, por querer pensar diferente
Quien le dijo que cuba es de ustedes si mi cuba es de toda mi gente

Se acabó, Ya se venció tu tiempo, se rompió el silencio
Ya se acabo, Ya se acabo la risa y el llanto ya esta corriendo
Se acabó, Y no tenemos miedo, se acabó el engaño
Ya se acabó, Son sesenta y dos haciendo daño

Alli vivimos con la incertidumbre del pasado, plantado
Quince amigos puestos, listos pa morirnos
Izamos la bandera todavía la represión del regimen al día
Anamel y Ramon firme con su poesía
Omara ruiz urquiola dándonos aliento, de vida
Rompieron nuestra puerta, violaron nuestro templo
Y el mundo ta' consciente de que el movimiento San Isidro continua, puesto

Seguimos en las mismas, la seguridad metiendo prisma
Esas cosas a mi como me indignan, se acabo el enigma
Ya sa' tu revolución maligna, soy funky'style aquí tienes mi firma
Ya ustedes están sobrando ya no le queda, ya se van bajando
El pueblo se canso de estar aguantando, un nuevo amanecer estamos esperando

Se acabó, tu cinco nueve yo doble dos
Ya se acabó, sesenta años trancado el domino, mira
Se acabó, tu cinco nueve yo doble dos
Ya se acabó, sesenta año trancando el domino

PATRIA Y VIDA
PATRIA Y VIDA
PATRIA Y VIDA
PATRIA Y VIDA
(SESENTA AÑOS TRANCADO EL DOMINÓ)
PATRIA Y VIDA
PATRIA Y VIDA
PATRIA Y VIDA
PATRIA Y VIDA

 

Rough Google translation :

 

"Homeland And Life" (feat. Maykel Osorbo & El Funky)

And you are my siren song

Because with your voice my sorrows go away

And this feeling is already stale

You hurt me so much even though you are far away

Today I invite you to walk through my lots

To show you that your ideals serve

We are human although we do not think alike

Let's not treat or harm ourselves like animals

This is my way of telling you

My people cry and I feel their voice

You five nine me double two

Sixty years locked the domino

Bass drum and saucer to the five hundred of Havana

While at home in the pots they no longer have any

What do we celebrate if people walk fast

Trading Che Guevara and Martí for the currency

Everything has changed is no longer the same

Between you and me there is an abyss

Advertising a paradise in Varadero

While mothers cry for their children who left It's over,

you five nine me double two

It's over,

sixty years locked the domino,

look It's over,

you five nine me double two

It's over,

sixty years locking the domino

We are artists, we are sensitivity

The true story, not the wrong one

We are the dignity of a whole people trampled on

At gunpoint and words that are still nothing

No more lies, my people ask for freedom, no more doctrines

Let's no longer shout Homeland and Death but Homeland and Life

And start to build what we dream of, what they destroyed with their hands

That the blood does not continue to flow, for wanting to think differently

Who told you that Cuba belongs to you if my Cuba belongs to all my people

It's over,

your time is up,

the silence is broken

It's over,

the laughter is over and the crying is already running

It's over,

and we're not afraid,

the deception is over

It's over now, it's sixty-two hurting

There we live with the uncertainty of the past, planted

Fifteen friends on, ready to die

We raise the flag still the repression of the regime to the day

Anamel and Ramon firm with their poetry

Omara ruiz urquiola giving us encouragement, of life

They broke down our door, they raped our temple

And the world is aware that the San Isidro movement continues, since

We continue in the same, security putting prism

These things make me indignant, the enigma is over

Ya sa 'your evil revolution,

I'm funky'style here is my signature

You are already left over, he no longer has any left, they are already going down

The town got tired of holding on, a new dawn we are waiting for

It's over,

you five nine me double two

It's over,

sixty years locked the domino,

look It's over,

you five nine me double two

It's over,

sixty years locking the domino

COUNTRY AND LIFE

COUNTRY AND LIFE

COUNTRY AND LIFE

COUNTRY AND LIFE (SIXTY YEARS TRANCED THE DOMINOES)

COUNTRY AND LIFE

COUNTRY AND LIFE

COUNTRY AND LIFE

COUNTRY AND LIFE

[Nino]

On 2/20/2021 at 4:16 PM, dgixxer252525 said:

 

Side note: I have been waiting for a link to the new song that is taking the island and the world by storm (at least for Cubans) called "Patria y Vida" by Gente de Zona and two members of "Movimiento San Isidro"...really groundbreaking stuff...

Sorry - wrong link, that was a newscast - here is the link to the song :

 

 

 

And a great comic comment on the song here :

 

 

On 2/20/2021 at 4:05 PM, Kevin48438 said:

Why aren’t there chicken and egg industries in Cuba?

@Kevin48438 - Not sure this thread has enough space to explain that.

But maybe this recent picture helps .... the text translates to :

NASA confirms there was socialism in Mars.

 

[El Presidente]

Back in the real world, a distributors bank accounts were closed last week because their prime business was Cuban product. 

It was a european bank so afraid of US retaliation ( fines and locking out of US financial system)

Pure hypocrisy 

[Nino]

56 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

Back in the real world, a distributors bank accounts were closed last week because their prime business was Cuban product. 

It was a european bank so afraid of US retaliation ( fines and locking out of US financial system)

Pure hypocrisy 

Sorry to hear that - my German Bank has no problem making transfers to Cuba so far and I expect it to improve now that the US has a new Admin.

Maybe it would help if Cuban Banks were not controlled by the military.

Why should the problem lie in Europe/US and not at the source of a repressive gvmt not respecting human rights ?

Pure cause & effect.

[El Presidente]

57 minutes ago, nino said:

 

Why should the problem lie in Europe/US and not at the source of a repressive gvmt not respecting human rights ?

 

I am all for it 

However If that is the measure we are going to use, then let the US apply the rule  to mainland Chinese banks, Saudi financial institutions, all despot nations who criminalise homosexuality, all those nations who turn a blind eye to the genital mutilation of  young women in the name of purity. 

The hypocrisy is sickening. 

[dgixxer252525]

37 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

I am all for it 

However If that is the measure we are going to use, then let the US apply the rule  to mainland Chinese banks, Saudi financial institutions, all despot nations who criminalise homosexuality, all those nations who turn a blind eye to the genital mutilation of  young women in the name of purity. 

The hypocrisy is sickening. 

85 million Americans were trying but lost...

[JZBdano]

39 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

 

The hypocrisy is sickening. 

I think it's more a half-ass effort by by a bunch of politicians that don't agree on much.  They can't help, no government can with the military run state of control, they can only enable which will eventually make it worse.   

[mprach024]

1 hour ago, El Presidente said:

I am all for it 

However If that is the measure we are going to use, then let the US apply the rule  to mainland Chinese banks, Saudi financial institutions, all despot nations who criminalise homosexuality, all those nations who turn a blind eye to the genital mutilation of  young women in the name of purity. 

The hypocrisy is sickening. 

There’s many many big differences between China, Saudi’s, and Cuba.  Don’t for one second think we take the stance we do on Cuba over its oppression of their people.  We may use that as window dressing, but there’s far too many examples where we turn a blind eye to that or even support governments that do also.  

The biggest difference between the others and Cuba, is if you are in Miami and jump high enough, you can see Cuba from our shores.  Forget the politics piece, we don’t like that they are a quick boat ride or raft ride away.  We don’t want to help them get bigger, stronger, healthier, as we don’t want Russia, China or any Communist nation state to have that close access.  We like our ocean borders, and want to keep our logistical advantage of defense.  Doubt we’ll be invaded by Mexico or Canada any time soon.  Are there other reasons for our inconsistent treatment of Cuba?  Of course!  This is not all encompassing, but the sensitivity with Cuba starts with their proximity.  It’s old school thinking but it’s entrenched in nearly 60 years of our foreign policy.  

Hypocrisy?  Sure if you like, hard to argue against that, and I most certainly agree with you.  But you are seeing it through the lens of the BBC, and not through the lens of a country who was on the brink of nuclear war just one generation ago.  Too many Americans who lived through it are still alive, and too many of them are still in power for any big changes to occur.  

[CHPSteve]

Imagine if New Zealand allowed Mother Russia to set up shop with the intent of strong arming Australia. I’m sure the Australian government would also hold a grudge. The embargo is not due to the difference in government ideologies. It’s a harsh lesson for threatening US national security. Unfortunately, the Cuban people are the helpless victims caught in the middle.

[El Presidente]

My only point is that the embargo has nothing to do with Human rights. It is simply dressed up that way. 

To much of the world it looks like Cuba is specifically targeted because it poses no threat to the US. 

It is easy meat, easy votes. 

If only they had cheap manufacturing or oil. All would be forgiven in a heartbeat. 

[CHPSteve]

I can respect that and agree that Cuba poses no threat to the US and really never did. The issue is their proximity and history of willingness to aid US adversaries. Had Cuba changed to a “more legitimate democracy” (whatever that means), similar to Japan post WW2, I believe Cuban-US relations would be drastically different. 

[mprach024]

19 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

My only point is that the embargo has nothing to do with Human rights. It is simply dressed up that way. 

To much of the world it looks like Cuba is specifically targeted because it poses no threat to the US. 

It is easy meat, easy votes. 

If only they had cheap manufacturing or oil. All would be forgiven in a heartbeat. 

Totally understand we look bad to the rest of the world over this.  We’ve gotten good at that.

The embargo has nothing to do with human rights - absolutely correct, but that doesn’t make it any less important or relevant

Easy votes - where?  By and large the USA population either doesn’t care about ending the embargo, or is in favor of it.  Ironically the biggest movement against lifting such sanctions is from Cubans who have fled.

Cheap manufacturing - a broad brush stroke, I would go even broader and say if they had anything of value that could impact our economy - oil, cheap labor, influence positive or negative, etc etc 

Unfortunate we are likely a long way from much of this changing. 

 

 

[El Presidente]

8 minutes ago, CHPSteve said:

I can respect that and agree that Cuba poses no threat to the US and really never did. The issue is their proximity and history of willingness to aid US adversaries. Had Cuba changed to a “more legitimate democracy” (whatever that means), similar to Japan post WW2, I believe Cuban-US relations would be drastically different. 

Perhaps and I agree to disagree 

The US went to war with both China and Vietnam. 

Outrage to political disposition appears to be disposable. 

[mprach024]

2 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

The US went to war with both China and Vietnam. 

MacArthur might have wanted to go to war with China but we never did or have.

Unless you want to discuss our disagreements over cyber security, intellectual property and counterfeiting, emissions standards, and sovereignty throughout the South China Sea, amongst others.

For too long we were the only super power and we were damned if we do, damned if we don’t.  We aren’t perfect, and may not always be the good guy in every scenario, but I think we are better than the alternative at the moment.  Who knows that statement could be completely incorrect and a 100 years of propaganda is finely wearing thin!  Only time will tell.

[El Presidente]

30 minutes ago, mprach024 said:

MacArthur might have wanted to go to war with China but we never did or have.

 

North Korea comes to mind. 

 

[Ken Gargett]

16 hours ago, dgixxer252525 said:

Great article! We collectively need to open our eyes and accept that what the Cuban people are going through is directly the fault of the Cuban govt. No outside countries are to blame...

 

i'm a bit late to this thread and nothing i would ever say would suggest that i think that the cuban govt has been horrendous to their people and obviously bear some blame but 'no outside countries'? give me a break. what a load of rubbish. a 60 year embargo has had no impact or effect? try again. 

as rob says, monumental hypocrisy. 

 

7 hours ago, mprach024 said:

There’s many many big differences between China, Saudi’s, and Cuba.  Don’t for one second think we take the stance we do on Cuba over its oppression of their people.  We may use that as window dressing, but there’s far too many examples where we turn a blind eye to that or even support governments that do also.  

The biggest difference between the others and Cuba, is if you are in Miami and jump high enough, you can see Cuba from our shores.  Forget the politics piece, we don’t like that they are a quick boat ride or raft ride away.  We don’t want to help them get bigger, stronger, healthier, as we don’t want Russia, China or any Communist nation state to have that close access.  We like our ocean borders, and want to keep our logistical advantage of defense.  Doubt we’ll be invaded by Mexico or Canada any time soon.  Are there other reasons for our inconsistent treatment of Cuba?  Of course!  This is not all encompassing, but the sensitivity with Cuba starts with their proximity.  It’s old school thinking but it’s entrenched in nearly 60 years of our foreign policy.  

Hypocrisy?  Sure if you like, hard to argue against that, and I most certainly agree with you.  But you are seeing it through the lens of the BBC, and not through the lens of a country who was on the brink of nuclear war just one generation ago.  Too many Americans who lived through it are still alive, and too many of them are still in power for any big changes to occur.  

without arguing with what you say, as i understand that and with the way things played out, the US put themselves in that position and had little choices but the thing that makes this absurd is that castro would have loved good relations with the US after taking power but it was the US which was not interested. sending fidel straight to the russians. and then it was all a bit too late and the world still has this mess. that does not put it all on the US and i know they wanted to support the US business interests but they were backing a brutal dictatorship. had their diplomacy at the time been a bit more nimble, they could have had an ally and kept russia/communism out of the region - something i would suggest they would have preferred than backing a few corrupt politicians. 

[mprach024]

4 minutes ago, Ken Gargett said:

i'm a bit late to this thread and nothing i would ever say would suggest that i think that the cuban govt has been horrendous to their people and obviously bear some blame but 'no outside countries'? give me a break. what a load of rubbish. a 60 year embargo has had no impact or effect? try again. 

as rob says, monumental hypocrisy. 

Of course it did.  I don’t think anyone is arguing the effect of the embargo.  I believe @dgixxer252525 was pointing out that the embargo wasn’t for evil, funzies, or a laugh.  Cuba could end that embargo tomorrow if they wanted it.  Just drop the communist regime, install a democratic government, and ask for foreign investment.  You’d have corporations lining up to buy property and open businesses.  Just don’t complain when it doesn’t look like old Cuba and looks more like Honolulu in 15 years.  

[Ken Gargett]

10 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

North Korea comes to mind. 

 

north korea, vietnam. the various china/taiwan disputes of the fifties - all depends on how you want to define war. 

[El Presidente]

37 minutes ago, mprach024 said:

 

For too long we were the only super power and we were damned if we do, damned if we don’t.  We aren’t perfect, and may not always be the good guy in every scenario, but I think we are better than the alternative at the moment.  Who knows that statement could be completely incorrect and a 100 years of propaganda is finely wearing thin!  Only time will tell.

No doubt. To my mind, US international influence on balance has been overwhelmingly positive. 

For knuckleheads like me it is simply difficult to reconcile the support for those such as Pinochet against the continued dogma against Cuba. Actually, it is easy to reconcile, just harder to accept 

 

[El Presidente]

and I would he Cuban regime to collapse in a screaming heap tomorrow.