Cuba's food production decline

The Cuban government is reporting a decline of 7.5 per cent in the country’s food production for the first half of this year, despite reforms implemented by President Raul Castro.



The National Statistics Office says there was a decline in just about all types of food production including rice, potatoes, other vegetables and pork and eggs between January and June.



Increasing food output has been a priority for President Castro.



However, the government says overall agriculture production is below 2005 levels.



Consumers have been complaining of shortages all year, particularly in staples such as rice and beans, which have fallen by 1.7 per cent and 27 per cent.