Just under three weeks before the school year begins, a Cuban mother took to Facebook to post a photo holding a bottle of sunflower oil and a pack of sausages. This image highlights a pressing question faced by countless families on the island: what will children bring for snacks to school?
The post by Maday Cuba Tamayo serves as a reminder of the hardships faced last term when children often had to settle for modest snacks like bread with oil or hot dogs. "It was tough because not everyone can afford it," she lamented. Now, with oil priced at 4,000 pesos and sausages at 1,200 pesos, even these basic options are out of reach for many.
"With only a few days until classes resume in Cuba, I can only say that a few months ago many children were bringing bread with oil or hot dogs for their snacks, and it was already difficult because not everyone can manage... Now I'm wondering what children will bring if oil costs 4,000 pesos and sausages 1,200 pesos. Where are we headed... not to mention uniforms, backpacks, shoes... and transportation," wrote the concerned mother.
The Impact of Economic Decisions on Cuban Families
The catalyst for this price surge was Resolution 150/2026 issued by the Ministry of Finance and Prices, which appeared in the Official Gazette on June 20, 2026. This resolution removed retail price caps for imported edible oils, chopped chicken, powdered milk, pasta, and sausages. Prior to this policy change, the price ceiling for a liter of oil was set at 990 Cuban pesos.
What followed was an unrestrained rise in oil prices: 1,500 pesos in April, 2,000 in June, 2,500 in Havana by late July, and between 4,000 and 7,000 pesos in different provinces by early August.
In response to the turmoil, some local governments —including Guantánamo, Holguín, and Songo-La Maya— attempted to set reference prices ranging from 2,200 to 2,500 pesos per liter. However, without establishing these as maximum prices, the measures were ineffective in halting the increase.
Challenges as the School Year Approaches
This outcry comes at a time when the return to school is marred by numerous shortages. The Ministry of Domestic Trade has acknowledged that only 2.3 million of the 3.6 million uniforms needed for the 2026-2027 school year will be produced, leaving nearly 80% of the students without new uniforms. On the black market, a single uniform can exceed 5,000 pesos.
The broader economic situation exacerbates these issues. The official average monthly salary in Cuba is around 7,074 pesos —less than 13 U.S. dollars at the informal exchange rate—, while journalistic and academic estimates suggest that meeting basic needs for one person costs approximately 96,000 pesos a month.
In this context, the World Food Program launched a six-month emergency school feeding project on July 1 to support children in five eastern provinces, benefiting 12,677 students across 74 schools.
Maday Cuba Tamayo's poignant question, "Where are we headed?" captures the distress of an average Cuban family, uncertain of how to afford even the simplest snack for their children as the school year, set to start on September 1st, looms ahead.
Understanding the Economic Crisis Affecting Cuban School Children
What prompted the rise in prices for basic goods in Cuba?
The increase in prices was triggered by Resolution 150/2026, which removed retail price caps for several imported goods, including edible oils and sausages, leading to uncontrolled price surges.
How are families coping with the high cost of school supplies and snacks?
Families are struggling to provide even the simplest snacks for their children due to skyrocketing prices and are facing challenges affording uniforms and other school supplies amidst economic shortages.
What assistance is available for Cuban children facing food insecurity?
The World Food Program has initiated an emergency project to provide school meals in five eastern provinces, aiding over 12,600 children in the face of widespread food insecurity.