Looting in Sancti Spiritus could leave Cuban markets without onions

The theft of 5.75 quintals of Carib 71 onion seeds and 18 kilograms of cabbage seeds from a Sancti Spiritus refrigerator will affect the cold season bulb planting in Cuba and its Presence in markets.

The theft has already caused a loss of 1,508,204 pesos Damage to the Cuban economysays the local newspaper Escambre.

In the current cold season this theft had a negative impact on onion planting, as it was Carib 71 seeds, which are produced nationally and destined for the producing center of Baño and several Cuban provinces such as Pinar del Río, Mayabeque, Granma. Camagüey and Ciego de Ávila, said Escambre

Orestes Ramírez Salas, Provincial Director of Semillas Sancti Spiritus Base Business Unit (UEB).

“This effect halts cultivation in a large number of hectares in the country. Seeds for onion planting could not be imported this year, given the constraints we all know, and national production Carib 71 will be used,” he lamented.

“We feel really impressed and I’m not just talking about the monetary value; But the fact is that growers were left without seeds and eventually the population pays the consequences,” he concludes.

The robbery took place on August 28 and six people involved have already been arrested and admitted their involvement in the incidents.

Similarly, 5.34 quintals of onion seeds and 26 packets of cabbage seeds were recovered from under the field where the thieves had hidden them.

However, seeds lose germination outside of refrigeration and cannot be used.

Among the 6 people involved, who have been charged with forced robbery, were two former meat processing plant workers who provided information to enter the coldroom and bypass security.