Mercados Libres Campesinos
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Los Mercados Libres Campesinos (Farmers' Free Markets), often known by the abbreviation MLC, were farmers' markets that formerly operated in Cuba. Authorized by the Cuban government in 1980, they were ended in 1986[1][2] as part of a general program of economic centralization. During their short existence they were credited with increasing the productivity of the Cuban agricultural sector, but also criticized for creating upward pressure on food prices. Since 1994 a new form of farmers' market that is functionally similar to the MLCs has been legal in Cuba.
Throughout the 1970s, Cubans enjoyed steadily increasing wages, resulting in higher levels of disposable income.[3] However, inefficiency in the state-managed food distribution network simultaneously resulted in shortages of some agricultural products.[3] Started in 1980 to alleviate the bottleneck, Mercados Libres Campesinos were sites where private farmers and home gardeners could sell their surplus produce directly to consumers, instead of to the state.[3] Their creation was authorized by Decree No. 66 of the Council of State.[1]
Operation
Under the terms of the authorizing legislation, private farmers could sell produce at MLCs after their quota obligations to the state had first been met.[2] Certain categories of economically vital produce, including sugar, tobacco, and coffee, were prohibited from sale.[2] Farmers were also limited to selling in their local MLC and were required to sell their surplus produce themselves, instead of through intermediaries.[2]
