FROM
CUBA
Potato
crop doesn't meet quota standard
HAVANA, December 16 (www.cubanet.org)
- Instead of the six pounds of potatoes
a month Havana residents are entitled to
buy under the government's rationing system,
they were only able to buy five and four
pounds in October and November, respectively.
The distribution arm of the Ministry of
Agriculture faces a diminished supply due
primarily to a smaller crop than originally
planned and to losses in storage due to
deficient refrigeration. Tons of potatoes
have ended up as cattle feed for this reason
alone.
Potatoes are just about the only remaining
agricultural product Cubans buy through
the ration book at controlled prices; everything
else they are likely to buy in free markets
at much higher prices.
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