Agricultural commercialization in cuban localities. Factors that limit it at present (Review)

Abstract

Agricultural production and commercialization in Cuba is of great importance for socio-economic development. The objective of the article is to expose the main factors that limit the production and commercialization of agricultural products at present and its repercussion in the development of the territories. The dialectical materialist method was applied; research conducted by the authors; surveys applied to producers and consumers in the years 2005, 2011, 2017 and 2021; review of articles; the legal framework was also taken into account.  There are several external factors that limit its normal development such as: the tightening of the U.S. blockade against Cuba and its inclusion in the list of countries that sponsor terrorism; the global economic crisis that has caused shortages of fuel, finances, credits and inputs for production in the country. Among the main internal factors are the verticality of economic decisions from higher levels, the insufficient capacities of local governments and the business system to manage local development, the lack of local innovation systems that articulate the actors involved, the upward trend in prices, the problems in the contracting process of agricultural production and the delay in payments to producers, the lack of wholesale markets in the municipalities; all this increases product losses and limits the supply to the markets. Although several packages of measures have been taken, the increase in agricultural production is far below the social needs.