In the town of Cárdenas, a neighborhood market situated in the former "El Cerdito" location at the corner of Real Street and Industria, has seen significant price hikes on four essential items in just under 20 days. Independent journalist Christian Arbolaez highlighted these increases on Facebook by comparing two price boards this past Thursday.
The cost of a pound of chicken breast rose from 900 to 920 Cuban pesos (CUP), rice jumped from 390 to 400 CUP per pound, oil increased from 2,900 to 2,950 CUP, and mortadella climbed from 950 to 1,000 CUP. These changes reflect price surges ranging from 10 to 50 pesos in less than three weeks.
The only product that saw a decrease was tomato paste, dropping from 1,800 to 1,350 CUP. However, Arbolaez pointed out that "we're unsure if it's the same product size."
This market opened around October 9th in the Matanzas area, stirring skepticism among locals from the outset. Residents have questioned why prices match or exceed those of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), contradicting official promises that products would be 15% to 30% cheaper than other stores.
"They changed the name of the place, gave it a lot of hype, and now some prices are also rising," Arbolaez remarked.
Criticism from Cárdenas residents continues: "The only neighborhood thing was the location; everything else is just the same with a different name." Another commented, "It's funny how they confidently said everything would be cheaper at these points." A third person sarcastically noted, "For retirees and wage earners, it's quite the bargain."
With Cuba's minimum wage barely reaching 3,210 CUP per month since July 2026, these neighborhood markets fail to address the financial struggle. Economist Javier Pérez Capdevila estimated in June that an individual requires approximately 96,000 CUP monthly to meet basic needs, nearly 30 times the minimum wage. The annual inflation rate hit 28.44% in September 2026, with food costs accounting for 73.39% of the monthly impact.
These neighborhood markets are part of a government initiative regulated by the Ministry of Domestic Trade's Resolution 16/2026, effective since August 11, 2026. This model allows SMEs, cooperatives, and self-employed workers to manage state network locations. Openings in various provinces like Guantánamo, Granma, Havana, Holguín, and Ciego de Ávila have sparked similar public discontent from day one.
Understanding the Economic Challenges in Cuba's Neighborhood Markets
What led to the recent price increases in Cárdenas' neighborhood market?
Prices in Cárdenas' market rose due to economic pressures and potential mismatches between supply and demand. The government's failure to keep prices lower than those of SMEs also played a role.
How does the minimum wage in Cuba compare to the cost of living?
Cuba's minimum wage is significantly lower than the estimated cost of living, with individuals needing about 96,000 CUP monthly to cover basic needs, far exceeding the 3,210 CUP minimum wage.
What is the public's reaction to neighborhood markets in Cuba?
The public reaction has been largely negative, with many residents expressing skepticism and disappointment over unfulfilled promises of lower prices and better access to essential goods.