Far from showing recovery, the current sugar harvest in the province of Guantánamo has produced only 2,900 tons of sugar, which represents just 38% of the initial plan of 7,632 tons.
It also represents a 26% decline compared to the 3,928 tons obtained in the 2023-2024 campaign, the worst ever recorded at the Argeo Martínez sugar mill, the only active sugar mill in the eastern region.
During a recent visit to the province, Vice President Salvador Valdés Mesa was informed of the poor results. The start of the harvest was delayed by 43 days and was characterized by constant instability in the grinding, caused by multiple operational failures, the official newspaper Venceremos reported.
Valdés emphasized that “regardless of the difficulties and objective limitations present in the sector, we must change the methods that are not yielding results and achieve better management of the sugar harvests.”
This happens despite the investments made in the plant, which included the repair of boilers, upgrades to the steam and electricity systems, and the installation of automated technology, with an expenditure of over six million pesos, according to a report published in December 2024 by the same news outlet.
While the central administrator, engineer Carlos Olivares Milán, promised that "the results will be much better," the reality contradicts that optimism: the current harvest has been even worse than the previous one.
El Argeo Martínez had planned a production of 7,632 tons of sugar for the 2024-2025 harvest, "which, while representing nearly double what was achieved in the previous harvest (3,928 tons), is still well below what the province needs to meet its demands," the source acknowledged.
He mentioned that the limited production plan was primarily due to the low availability of sugarcane, mainly because of the repeated failure to meet planting schedules and the poor yield of the grass.
The intention to “get rid of the frustration” from the prolonged failure has once again remained just talk. With a production that does not even meet the provincial needs, the harvest in Guantánamo reflects the deep crisis of what was once the backbone of the Cuban economy. Neither investments nor calls for a change in unproductive methods have managed to alter the course of the collapse.
A report from the Reuters agency predicted that, for the first time since the 19th century, the annual sugar production in Cuba will fall below 200,000 metric tons, according to recent estimates based on official reports and sources from the industry.
The Government Council of Granma recently acknowledged the productive disaster of the sugar sector in the province, with production this year at only 26% of the planned sugar, as part of one of the worst sugar campaigns in recent times, characterized by organizational chaos, lack of resources, and a long list of unresolved issues.
At the end of April, it was reported that after 73 days of sugar harvesting, the Dos Ríos mill, located in the municipality of Palma Soriano and the only one responsible for producing raw sugar in Santiago de Cuba, had only accumulated 13% of the projected 20,811 tons.
Las Tunas is not lagging behind in the disaster. The Antonio Guiteras sugar mill, the largest in the country, was barely exceeding 11% of the plan by mid-April. During a visit to the mill, Deputy Prime Minister Jorge Luis Tapia Fonseca “called for an extraordinary effort from his people to achieve a turnaround.”
The preparation of the industries to begin milling was severely impacted by the lack of resources. The energy crisis delayed repairs at power plants, machine shops, and cleaning centers, as well as limited the production of necessary parts and components for the machinery.
With its 350,000 tons of sugar, the 2022-2023 harvest became the worst crop since 1898, when, during the midst of the War of Independence, the sugar mills in Cuba produced 300,000 tons.
In December 2023, the government admitted that it is "shameful" for the country, traditionally one of the leading sugar producers in Latin America, to be forced to import this product.
More than a sugar harvest, what Cuba is experiencing in 2025 is the slow and official burial of its sugar industry, a sector that once positioned the island among the world’s top sugar exporters.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Sugar Crisis in Cuba
What is the current situation of sugar production in Guantánamo?
The production of sugar in Guantánamo has only reached 38% of the planned target, with just 2,900 tons produced out of an initial goal of 7,632 tons. This result reflects a significant setback compared to previous campaigns, confirming the crisis in the sugar sector of the region.
What factors have contributed to the poor performance of the sugar harvest in Cuba?
The Cuban sugar harvest faces multiple challenges, among which stand out the lack of resources, the obsolescence of machinery, and organizational issues. Additionally, the energy crisis has delayed the necessary repairs in the mills, severely impacting the efficiency of the production process.
How has the sugar crisis affected the Cuban economy in general?
The sugar crisis has had a devastating impact on the Cuban economy. The annual production of sugar has plummeted to levels not seen since the 19th century, forcing the country to import sugar to meet domestic demand. This collapse affects key sectors such as food, export, and industry, exacerbating the already critical economic situation in the country.
What measures has the Cuban government taken in response to the crisis in the sugar industry?
The Cuban government has attempted to invest in technology and repairs in the sugar mills, but these efforts have not been sufficient to reverse the negative trend. Despite official speeches about the need to improve management and change unproductive methods, the deep structural solutions required for the sector have still not been implemented.
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