A Cuban doctor residing and practicing on the island shared a TikTok video on June 25, 2026, illustrating the expenses involved in doing a weekly grocery run amid the ongoing economic crisis, with the dollar hovering around 700 Cuban pesos in the informal market.
The doctor, a mother of a young girl and an infant, documented her trip to the marketplace, encapsulating in under a minute a harsh reality faced by millions of Cubans each week: "Unlike other countries where you can do a big shop for the entire month, here neither the money nor the products are available all at once, so I have to make multiple trips a month to find whatever comes up."
On the day of recording, the rising dollar dictated the pace of price increases. "The dollar went up again. Today, it's hovering around 700 Cuban pesos, and when the dollar rises, the prices of almost everything else follow," she explained, noting that this trend is "a blessing for those who receive dollars in some way, but a real headache for those who rely solely on a salary in pesos."
She herself is exactly that: a healthcare professional earning a salary in pesos. Estimates suggest that Cuban doctors earn between 5,060 and 8,000 pesos monthly, equivalent to between 10 and 16 dollars at the informal exchange rate. A single weekly purchase of basic food items can range from 25,000 to 30,000 pesos, or four to six times her entire monthly salary.
Food prices reflect a relentless spiral. Oil has reached 1,800 pesos per liter, a pound of tomatoes sells for 350 pesos—compared to the previous 60—a bunch of bananas has gone from 100 to 600 pesos, and a carton of eggs reaches 3,800 pesos. Chicken, in four-pound packages, fluctuates between 2,000 and 2,600 pesos.
The chasm between income and expenses becomes even more evident when compared to the minimum cost of living estimated by independent economists: a person needs at least 96,060 pesos monthly to meet basic needs, with 70,070 pesos allocated to food alone. The official minimum wage, which rose to 3,210 pesos in July 2026, barely covers 3% of that figure.
The currency exchange distortion exacerbates the situation. While the informal market quotes the dollar between 600 and 735 pesos, the Central Bank maintains an official rate of 24 pesos per dollar, a gap exceeding 25 times, rendering salaries in pesos nearly symbolic.
Despite this context, the doctor sums up her situation with a phrase that captures the forced resilience of many Cubans: "With a little girl, a baby, a household, and a kitchen that doesn't comprehend crises or excuses, we must keep managing."
As she concluded the video, the doctor posed a question to her viewers that sparked a debate: "Let me know in the comments how much this same shopping trip would cost in your country, because hearing the dollar is at 700 pesos is one thing, but seeing it reflected in every meal on the table is quite another."
Understanding the Economic Challenges of Living in Cuba
How much do Cuban doctors earn monthly?
Cuban doctors earn between 5,060 and 8,000 pesos monthly, which is approximately 10 to 16 dollars at the informal exchange rate.
What are some examples of food prices in Cuba?
In Cuba, a liter of oil costs 1,800 pesos, a pound of tomatoes is sold for 350 pesos, a bunch of bananas costs 600 pesos, and a carton of eggs is priced at 3,800 pesos.
What is the estimated minimum monthly cost of living in Cuba?
Independent economists estimate that a person needs at least 96,060 pesos monthly to cover basic living expenses, with 70,070 pesos required just for food.