Cuba says it will ration food and other products. It will ration beans, chicken, eggs, rice, soap and other goods. There is a serious economic crisis in Cuba and there are many shortages of food. This is because the USA changed how it trades with Cuba. A U.S. trade embargo makes it difficult for Cuba to buy food. Many people say the cut in fuel aid to Cuba from Venezuela is the reason. A crisis in Venezuela means there is a two-thirds cut in fuel to Cuba.
Cuba imports about two-thirds of its food. It spends about $2 billion a year on food imports. Cuba can now import less food. Many supermarket shelves are empty. People must stand in line in shops. The government is rationing to stop people buying and keeping food. If people do this, there is less food for others. A store in Havana said people could not buy more than four packets of powdered milk. One shopper said life was "tough".