Food Industry in Matanzas: Deficiencies and Call to Action.
The call was clear: unity and efficiency to boost the industry. Matanzas has potential, but a course correction is needed.
During a recent visit to Matanzas, the Minister of the Food Industry, Alberto López Díaz, and his team evaluated the government’s achievement of its 2025 goals.
We discussed the achievement of these goals in a previous report; today we will focus on the deficiencies identified that require urgent attention.
The fishing sector is suffering from a worrying delay: 71 tons below the annual plan, low fingerling stocking, and poor connectivity with the industry. Although it is reporting profits, its production levels are not optimal, and crime has increased compared to the previous year.
At the Libertad Plant in Colón, with a new director, there is potential to resolve key problems. Despite earning 40 million pesos, accounts receivable exceed eight million, and bottlenecks in the supply of containers persist, impacting production.
The call to control lobster trafficking was rigorous, especially in restaurants that offer it without legal documentation. This is a sensitive issue, as its diversion damages the national economy.
Coffee is another critical issue: the Matanzas coffee roaster is forced to resort to alternative production due to a lack of raw materials. The province has no coffee producers, which exacerbates the deficit.
The dairy company faces serious difficulties: low wages, unpaid bills, lack of leaders, and lack of employee motivation. A comprehensive rescue is urgently needed.
The Minister insisted on tapping local reserves and strengthening collaboration with the non-state sector, currently facing budgetary constraints. The call was clear: unity and efficiency to boost the industry. Matanzas has potential, but a course correction is needed.
Written by Enrique Tirse.
