A Cuban woman who returned to the island after spending a year abroad shared a video on TikTok detailing the overwhelming shock she felt upon encountering the skyrocketing prices during her usual Saturday market visit.
"I came back to Cuba after living outside the country for a year, and everything is astonishing, especially the prices. I can hardly understand how people are managing here," said the creator, known on the platform as @yuyudecuba.
She took 5,500 pesos with her—her typical Saturday budget—and came back home "practically empty-handed."
The price hike she documented is staggering: a bottle of oil, previously priced between 900 and 1,200 pesos, now costs 1,800 pesos.
A bunch of bananas that used to be 100 pesos is now 600; a pound of tomatoes jumped from 60 pesos to 350; and a pound of ground meat increased from 320 to 450 pesos.
Meat products were no exception: a four-pound pack of chicken, formerly between 1,000 and 1,800 pesos, now sells for 2,000 to 2,600 pesos.
Even snacks reflect the inflationary spiral: a lollipop doubled from 35 to 70 pesos, and a pack of four cookies surged from 60 pesos to between 350 and 400 pesos.
"Living in Cuba now feels like you're in another country, earning dollars," the young woman summarized.
The most pressing question for her isn't about her own expenses but rather about those who lack access to foreign currency: "Those of us who travel and return with some cash don't find it as expensive. But for those living here, how are they getting by?"
The arithmetic is harsh: if she spent 5,500 pesos and bought almost nothing, how does someone survive on the minimum wage of 3,200 pesos?
This minimum wage—recently increased by the Cuban regime from 2,100 to 3,210 pesos since July—translates to just $4.65 at the informal exchange rate, which hovers around 695 pesos per dollar.
Economist Javier Pérez Capdevila calculated that a person needs at least 96,060 pesos monthly to meet basic needs, with 70,070 pesos allocated solely for food: a figure 30 times higher than the new minimum wage.
Official statistics showed an annual inflation rate of 15.89% in May 2026, according to the National Office of Statistics and Information. However, prices continue to rise far beyond this figure in informal markets, where independent estimates place real inflation at around 70% annually.
Meanwhile, the euro hit a historic high of 800 pesos in the informal market on June 21, and independent economists predict a potential 15% decline in the Cuban GDP by 2026.
"While I don't regret returning to Cuba, I feel that living here is currently unsustainable," concluded @yuyudecuba, leaving open the question that thousands of Cubans ponder every day as they face a market they can no longer afford.
Cuban Economy and Living Conditions in 2026
What is the current minimum wage in Cuba?
As of July 2026, the minimum wage in Cuba was increased to 3,210 pesos by the government.
How does inflation affect daily life in Cuba?
Inflation significantly impacts daily life in Cuba, with essential goods and food prices soaring, making it difficult for many to afford basic necessities.
Why are prices in Cuba so high?
Prices in Cuba are high due to a combination of factors, including economic mismanagement, inflation, and a reliance on informal markets where prices are not regulated.