Beef. From the "Cornerstones" series

According to the Statistical Yearbook of Cuba issued by the ONEI (National Office of Statistics and Information) in 2020, the existence of cattle in Cuba corresponds to 0.3 head of cattle per inhabitant, which represents 70% less than those existing in Cuba before 1959. The agrarian reforms of 1959 and 1963 and the process of nationalization of companies put at the hands of the State most of the lands dedicated to livestock. The state herd was focused on dairy cattle ranching, while the small “private” sector was basically dedicated to raising and improving beef cattle, which later had to be sold to the State at extremely low prices. Given the lack of economic incentives for small farmers and the obligation to sell cattle for slaughter to the State, there was a radical decrease in cattle in Cuba. Due to this, regulations were imposed for their control and registration that condemn slaughter, theft, and commercialization. According to article 240.1 (modified on February 16, 1999) whoever slaughters larger cattle is punished with deprivation of liberty for four to ten years.