The newly opened Neighborhood Market in Sagua de Tánamo, a town in the Holguín province, was introduced by local authorities as a place where food and hygiene products could be purchased at "affordable and economical" prices. However, a photo of the price board inside the market has sparked significant backlash on social media, raising doubts about the true meaning of this claim.
The AMPP Sagua Tánamo page announced the market's launch at Los Maceos, Unit 3078, with operating hours from Monday to Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The listed prices at this establishment include frozen chicken priced at 900 CUP per pound, a carton of eggs for 3,500 CUP (equivalent to 115 CUP per egg), imported rice at 900 CUP per pound, oil at 2,650 CUP per bottle, ground meat at 700 CUP per pound, sausages at 1,150 CUP per package, bologna at 550 CUP per pound, and canned ham at 1,150 CUP per can.
The stark reality becomes evident with a simple comparison: Cuba's minimum monthly wage stands at 3,210 CUP as of July 2026, meaning that a single egg carton at this market exceeds an entire month's minimum salary.
The discrepancy between the "affordable" label and the posted prices did not go unnoticed by Cubans commenting on the announcement.
One user sarcastically remarked, "I need to look up the word 'affordable' in the dictionary... because this makes no sense." Another cynically summarized the situation: "Chicken at 900 pesos per pound? How cheap! Affordable for all, bravo for this revolutionary achievement."
Reactions followed suit: "Affordable prices, for whom?" "It must be the 'Hold onto Your Wallet' market with those exorbitant prices," "These prices are amazing, haha, perfect for those receiving remittances," and "the same collar with the same dog."
Others directly targeted the official language: "What do they mean by affordable? I don't think they know what that word means," and "How deceitful is the one who wrote 'affordable' here."
The Neighborhood Markets initiative, launched by the Ministry of Domestic Trade (MINCIN), is regulated by Resolution 16/2026, in effect since August 2026. This allows small businesses, cooperatives, and self-employed individuals to manage state-owned locations while the government retains property rights. Initially, the official promise was to offer products 15% to 30% cheaper than other stores, a figure later adjusted to between 10% and 15% in more recent MINCIN communications.
By October 21, MINCIN reported 62 operational outlets across 12 provinces, including Holguín. However, the pattern of criticism in Sagua de Tánamo mirrors what has been observed in other towns since the program's inception.
Even official journalist José Alejandro Solís suggested these should be called "Wealthy Neighborhood Markets" due to their unaffordable prices for local residents.
On October 25, MINCIN itself admitted that the markets had yet to achieve noticeable price reductions for the public, according to press reports.
The Cuba Capacity Building Project estimates that an individual requires approximately 70,070 CUP monthly just to cover basic food expenses, which is over 21 times the minimum wage. Critics argue that Neighborhood Markets do little to bridge this gap for those who rely solely on Cuban pesos and do not receive foreign remittances.
Understanding the Economic Impact of Neighborhood Markets in Cuba
Why are the prices at the Neighborhood Market in Holguín causing controversy?
The prices at the Neighborhood Market in Holguín are significantly higher than the minimum wage in Cuba, making them unaffordable for many residents. This has led to public outcry and criticism, especially since the market was promoted as providing affordable goods.
What was the government's initial promise regarding the Neighborhood Markets?
The government initially promised that products at Neighborhood Markets would be 15% to 30% cheaper than other stores. This figure was later adjusted to a reduction of between 10% and 15%, though these reductions have not been evident to the public.
How does the cost of a single egg carton compare to the minimum wage in Cuba?
A single carton of eggs at the Neighborhood Market costs 3,500 CUP, which is more than the monthly minimum wage in Cuba, set at 3,210 CUP.