Full Breakdown
Cuba’s Ration Book Shrinks Amid Deepening Food Shortages
5/4/2026, 11:19:25 AM
Shrinking Ration Books Deepen Food Shortages
State-run stores in Havana that serve roughly 5,000 customers each have seen their inventories reduced to a handful of items—rice, sugar and split chickpeas—by late April 2026. The “libreta” ration book, introduced by Fidel Castro in the early 1960s to guarantee subsidised staples, now provides far fewer goods, forcing families to rely on meagre salaries and, for many, remittances from abroad.
Historical Roots of the Ration System
The ration book expanded during the 1960s, guaranteeing items such as milk, fish, bread and cigarettes. It contracted during the 1990s “Special Period” after the loss of Soviet aid, a time when Cubans lost 5 %–25 % of body weight. The current contraction follows the 2021 merger of Cuba’s dual-currency system, an episode the government has been described as having “bungled,” leading to persistent inflation.
Voices from Havana
- José Luis Amate López, a bodega clerk, reports no customers for almost two weeks and shelves that “used to be so full you could barely walk.”
- Ana Enamorado, 68, says she can only purchase split chickpeas and a kilogram of sugar each month, describing life as “practically living off air.”
- Lázaro Cuesta, 56, receives two 40-gram bread rolls daily, noting the price rise from 5 cents to 75 cents.
- Rosa Rodríguez, 54, survives on a pension of 4,000 pesos and a single donation of 4 lb of rice, stating, “Everything is scarce here — everything — even that wretched bread they give us.”
Economic Drivers of the Crisis
Cuba imports up to 80 % of its food, yet government resources are strained. A typical monthly pension and salary total about 8,000 Cuban pesos (? $16). Prices reported in April 2026 include: a carton of 30 eggs at 3,000 pesos ($125), 2 lb of meat hash at 900 pesos ($37), and 1 lb of cornmeal at 200 pesos ($8). Roughly 60 % of Cubans receive remittances, which many cite as essential for obtaining items such as avocados, eggs and red beans. The state’s budget is heavily allocated to health, education, social welfare and food imports, while tourism investment exceeds current demand.
Government Response and Policy Debate
Cuban officials have signaled a shift from subsidising goods to subsidising individuals, a move intended to free funds for fuel, medicine and other imports. The government continues to distribute limited items—e.g., sardines, soap and toilet paper for citizens turning 65—though many report these goods remain unavailable.
Criticism of the Current Approach
Economist William LeoGrande argues the state “doesn’t have the money to do it anymore” and that “any major cuts in state spending are going to have a profound social impact, which is why they haven’t done it.” He also notes that tourism spending is “way higher” than demand, exacerbating fiscal pressure.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
No official statistics have been released detailing the exact reduction in the number of items listed in the ration book or the precise budgetary shortfall, leaving analysts to rely on anecdotal evidence from citizens and independent observers.
Verbatim Quotes
- “No Cuban can truly survive on the products from the ration book anymore,” — José Luis Amate López, bodega worker
- “There’s hardly anything in the ration book,” — Ana Enamorado, Havana resident
- “They just don’t have the money to do it anymore,” — William LeoGrande, professor, American University
- “Before it was 80 grams and cost 5 (Cuban) cents. Now it’s 40 grams and costs 75 cents,” — Lázaro Cuesta, food-preparation worker
- “If not for the remittances,” — Lázaro Cuesta, food-preparation worker
What Lies Ahead
Analysts warn that without fiscal reform or a reversal in tourism decline, the ration system may continue to contract, deepening reliance on remittances and heightening the risk of broader social instability.
