Today: Agricultural fairs in several municipalities of Havana

The Havana government has announced a new round of agricultural fairs in all its municipalities for this Saturday, May 3.

The announcement, published on its official Facebook page, specifies the addresses of each point of sale, which include parks, plazas, and main avenues in the different territories. According to the announcement, changes have been made to the usual locations for Habana del Este, Guanabacoa, Arroyo Naranjo, and Diez de Octubre.

These fairs—supposedly designed to bring agricultural products to the population—come at a particularly critical time: food shortages are acute and inflation in Cuba remains at alarming levels.

Today, May 3, a single dollar is trading at 370 Cuban pesos on the informal market. In practice, this means that a pound of rice can cost between 200 and 250 pesos. CUP, depending on the municipality, the seller and availability.

The price of other basic products, such as beans, oil or pork, remains out of reach of the average salary, which barely exceeds 5.000 CUP a month.

Where will the fairs be this Saturday?

The addresses published by the Government of Havana are as follows:

• Plaza of the Revolution: John Lennon Park, 17th Street

• Beach.: 13th and 76th Street

• East Havana: Cocos Avenue (Africa Square), Zone 7, Alamar Heights

• RulerCalixto Garcia Street between Albuquerque and Gonzalez Rubiera (Guaicanamar)

• Guanabacoa: Maceo corner Versailles

• Saint Michael of Padron: Main Street and Güines Calzada

• mariana: 124th Street, Civic Plaza

• La Lisa: 51st Avenue between 212th and 218th, in front of the San Rafael bank

• Boyeros: 184th and 321st Avenue, Rancho Boyeros (La Herradura)

• parrot: 26th of July Square

• Cerro: La Normal Park

• Casas Particulares Centro HabanaAramburu Street between Zanja and San José (Key West)

• Casas Particulares Old HavanaZulueta Street between Corrales and Apodaca

• orange streamÁngeles Street between Parque and Amargura (Calvario)

• October 10th: Baraguá Street from 21 to 25 (Vista Alegre)

A popular event or a propaganda showcase?

These fairs are often promoted as "people power" initiatives to combat shortages, but the truth is that their actual impact on prices and availability is minimal. Many Havana residents criticize the fact that the products offered are priced similarly to those on the informal market, and that access to fresh food remains limited for those who don't get up early or don't have enough money.

From other provinces in the country, many voices point out the privileged treatment of residents of the capital. “They always take something from them. Here in Las Tunas, there isn't even a sweet potato,” one social media user said this week. Another, from Holguín, stated: “At least in Havana they have markets; here we haven't been able to buy food for days.”

Territorial inequality in access to food has become one of the most repeated complaints among Cubans. While the government organizes events with fruits, vegetables, and meats in the capital, in many towns in the interior of the country, the population depends on charity among neighbors or the informal market for food. The state distribution system still fails to guarantee an equitable supply.

Amid inflation and the economic crisis, many are wondering whether these fairs are a real solution or merely a visual palliative for propaganda purposes.