La Libreta – 50 years of rationing in Cuba

Receiving an allowance of rice at the Cuban ration shop

After accidentally dropping into a government supermarket in Havana and seeing where the wealthier Havana citizens get their food, we visited a ration shop in Vinales.

The Libreta de Abastecimiento, or “Supplies booklet”, is the mainstay of many Cubans monthly diet. Dating back to 1962, the book determines which rations are allowed and how often they can be claimed. Different age groups and different areas get differing allowances based on their needs.

Even if you’re allowed a certain good there’s no guarantee that it will be available. The absolute basics are often present, but different types of meat will appear seemingly at random throughout the week.

Mostly empty shelves inside a ration shop

Originally the ration book covered far more goods. When the Soviet Union collapsed and their financial aid stopped the rations were reduced to the bare minimum. Items like toiletries, cleaning goods and cigarettes were excluded from rationing and now have to be bought full price.

Cuban ration price list and ration book. On the board the first column is the good, then the allowance and the price.

Alternative ration books exist for people with medical needs such as diabetics, and there are special rations for special occasions, such as weddings and the start of the school year.

Rationed goods are sold at about 12% of market value, but are only really enough for about 10 days. Any extra supplies need to be bought at markets or even government supermarkets for the full price.

A full ration book worth of food costs about $2, so is worth more like $20. Some younger and wealthier Cubans don’t claim their allowance., but with the average wage at less than $20 and the average monthly pension as little as $9, the ration book is essential to many of the older generation.

There may not be much food, but they have plenty of hats…

There are regular rumours that the ration book will be abolished, but few ideas for anything to replace the system. Raul Castro took the reins of the country from Fidel  in 2008 and called the rationing system “paternalistic, irrational and unsustainable.” The newly reduced rationing system still costs the country around $1 billion per year.

This 8 minute documentary by John Shumelda brings the whole process and the problems of the reducing rations to life:

Hopefully related posts:

Old vs New – Shopping in Havana, Cuba Confusing sculptures in La Plaza Vieja – Havana Cuba Making cigars with a tobacco farmer – Vinales, Cuba Buses to Bulls – Getting around Cuba by public transport