A Cuban identified as Sisi Aguilera took to Facebook on Saturday to share a video depicting a typical grocery purchase, describing it as "criminal" and "outrageous." This testimony captures the desperation felt by millions of Cubans amid relentless food inflation.
Aguilera's purchase included ten pounds of rice, two pounds of sugar, a pound of bell peppers, two bags of bread, a can of tomato paste, three pounds of ground meat, two small tubes of seasoned ground meat, and a small pack of chicken. Yet, the total cost was unaffordable.
"I'm not buying a package of chicken, I'm not buying pork, I'm not buying anything; I'm just buying ground meat, rice," Aguilera expressed in the video. "These prices are insane to me. I find them outrageous. It's too much."
Understanding the Price Surge
Aguilera pinpointed the direct cause of the soaring prices: "When the price of the dollar goes up, these products' prices rise too."
This relationship is devastating for Cubans. The informal market exchange rate for the dollar is currently at 655 Cuban pesos, while the official minimum wage is a mere 2,100 pesos per month—equivalent to just three or four dollars. The average monthly salary, according to the National Office of Statistics and Information, is about 6,930 pesos.
Given these earnings, prices in the informal market are unreachable. A sack of rice can cost up to 31,800 pesos, beans sell for 8,000 pesos for five kilos, and the price of oil surged from 1,150 to 1,400 pesos in just 48 hours. The cheapest available meat, ground meat, costs around 300 pesos per pound, while chicken is 500 pesos per pound.
Impact on Cuban Households
A report by Horizonte Cubano published this week estimates that a Cuban needs 96,060 pesos a month to cover basic needs. Therefore, the average salary covers less than 10% of the necessary expenses for food.
The crisis isn't new but is worsening. The "Hunger in Cuba 2025" report, released on May 4th, reveals that 33.9% of Cuban households recently experienced hunger, 94.9% lost access to food purchases at some point during the year, and 79.4% spend 80% or more of their income on food.
Only 1.2% of respondents consider the variety of food in state markets to be complete, according to the same report on hunger in Cuba.
Economic Challenges and Solutions
Economist Pavel Vidal estimates that actual inflation in Cuba in 2024 was close to 70%, significantly higher than the 14% officially acknowledged by the regime.
Many Cuban families trying to survive on two or three thousand pesos a month, as noted in the video's description, cannot afford even the basics with that amount of money. The ration book covers fewer and fewer necessities, and the informal market, effectively dollarized, has become the only viable option for most.
Aguilera concluded the video with a phrase that needs no translation: "Look at the price, look at the total."
FAQs About Food Prices and Inflation in Cuba
What is causing the high food prices in Cuba?
The high food prices in Cuba are largely due to the rising value of the dollar in the informal market, which increases the cost of imported goods and exacerbates inflation.
How much does a Cuban need to meet basic food needs?
A Cuban requires approximately 96,060 pesos per month to cover basic food needs, which far exceeds the average monthly salary.
What percentage of income do Cubans spend on food?
According to recent reports, 79.4% of Cubans spend 80% or more of their income on food.