A carton of eggs, five packs of detergent, and a bottle of oil—this is all a Cuban woman managed to purchase with 11,000 pesos on the informal market. This stark reality was highlighted in a TikTok video released Thursday by content creator @yanelasinfiltro, who frequently documents the true purchasing power of Cubans on the island.
In the video, the TikToker lays out each expense in detail: the carton of eggs was priced at 3,600 pesos; the five 500-gram packs of detergent totaled 3,000 pesos at 600 pesos each; and the bottle of oil cost another 2,500 pesos. "Folks, it's now at 2,500 pesos," she warns, pointing out that the same product was 2,000 pesos the last time she purchased it. This left her with no money for rice, meat, root vegetables, or any other essential food items.
The 11,000 pesos highlighted in the video are worth a mere 16 dollars on the informal exchange market, where the rate on July 7, 2026, was 670 pesos per dollar according to unofficial sources. This amount is roughly equivalent to 3.4 monthly minimum wages, after the regime's recent 53% increase which raised the minimum wage from 2,100 to 3,210 pesos, although the actual payment won't be made until August.
Economic Hardships Exposed
Perhaps the most striking revelation from the video is that the cost of a carton of eggs alone exceeds the entire monthly minimum wage in Cuba. A worker earning the minimum wage wouldn't be able to afford even this single item with a month's salary.
Economist Javier Pérez Capdevila has estimated that a Cuban family needs at least 96,060 pesos monthly to meet basic needs, a figure that is 30 times higher than the current minimum wage. Just the food portion of this basket costs 70,070 pesos, which is 22 times the minimum wage.
Cubans Take to TikTok to Highlight Economic Struggle
@yanelasinfiltro's video is part of a growing trend on TikTok where Cubans share their shopping experiences to highlight the gap between prices and income. In May, the same creator shared a video showing she could only buy cleaning supplies and seasonings with 10,500 pesos—no protein at all. In June, another viral video demonstrated that 11,100 pesos could buy some basic meats, but not rice or root vegetables.
The Cuban peso has been rapidly devaluing, with the dollar rising from 435 pesos in December 2025 to 670 pesos by July 2026. Official inflation was reported at 15.89% year-over-year in May 2026, but estimates in the informal market suggest it is closer to 70%, underscoring the disconnect between the regime's figures and the reality Cubans face when shopping.
The new minimum wage of 3,210 pesos has been in effect since July 1, but workers won't see this pay increase until next month. This delay means the raise comes too late for those already grappling with prices that adjust on a weekly basis.
Understanding Cuba's Economic Crisis
Why are basic goods so expensive in Cuba?
The high cost of basic goods in Cuba is largely due to economic mismanagement, inflation, and a failing currency. Limited supply and high demand in the informal market further drive prices up.
How does the informal exchange rate affect Cubans?
The informal exchange rate significantly impacts Cubans by devaluing their currency, making imported goods and essentials unaffordable for those earning in pesos.
What is the significance of the minimum wage increase in Cuba?
The minimum wage increase in Cuba, while intended to improve living standards, is insufficient in keeping pace with inflation and the soaring cost of living, leaving many Cubans struggling to afford basic necessities.