Digital content creator Armando Caos, widely recognized as Mandy Caos on social media, posted a video on his Facebook profile this Saturday, capturing a long line of people eagerly waiting to purchase eggs at a market in Playa, Havana.
"A line for eggs, priced at 900 pesos per carton at the Playa fair. Isn't that the State's truck? Oh, it must be a state mipyme," he remarked with sarcasm, as the video depicted dozens of individuals queuing behind the vehicle selling the eggs.
The post sparked numerous reactions from users who, instead of celebrating the price, voiced skepticism over what they perceived as an unusually low cost given the current Cuban market climate.
"I don't trust it, that cheap? They must be almost spoiled, something's off," commented Cecil Ramos Lameda.
Adding to the irony, Perla Sureña quipped, "At 900, they've got to have salmonella. I wouldn't buy them."
Other commenters pointed to the chronic shortage of the product and the limited supply typically available at such fairs.
"They only bring 100 or 150 cartons for about a thousand customers. A thousand in line and two thousand who left," noted Julio Miguel Cruz Brito.
There were also remarks on the sheer length of the line. "They say the line stretched from 13th to 19th street," remarked Rudys Joaquín Baños Chávez, to which Mandy Caos responded that when he passed by, the line extended to a nearby school.
Some comments interpreted the scene as yet another example of the nation's food insecurity. "Misery dressed as crumbs," wrote Yedlan Rosabal.
This social media reaction is unfolding amid a severe crisis in Cuba's egg availability.
Cuba's domestic egg production has seen a substantial decline in recent years, exacerbated by the 2021 economic restructuring, drastically reducing the supply of this staple in the Cuban diet.
Official data has acknowledged a drop from producing four to five million eggs daily to approximately 1,200,000, contingent on the ability to feed the poultry, which has necessitated increased imports from countries like the Dominican Republic, the United States, and Colombia.
In February 2025, for instance, the Carlos III store in Havana witnessed lengthy queues for eggs priced at 6 MLC (1,800 CUP), while the black market saw prices climb to 2,600 CUP. Prices have been reported to be even higher in other regions.
Meanwhile, the product's distribution remains limited or regulated in various areas.
On the Isle of Youth, local authorities recently announced the distribution of four eggs per person at 50 CUP each as part of the basic basket, dependent on availability.
In Artemisa, a carton of 30 eggs per family is sold at 1,500 CUP through the ration book at local stores.
Amid this backdrop of scarcity, inflation, and uneven distribution, the 900 pesos price for a carton at a state or semi-state fair has generated more suspicion than relief among consumers.
In today's Cuban market, even seemingly cheap deals can arouse doubt.
Egg Market Challenges in Cuba
Why are eggs being sold at such a low price in Havana?
The low price of 900 pesos per carton has led to skepticism among consumers, who suspect the eggs may be of poor quality or nearly expired. This price is considered unusually low given the current market conditions in Cuba.
What has caused the egg shortage in Cuba?
The egg shortage in Cuba is primarily due to a significant decline in domestic production, worsened by the economic restructuring of 2021. This has forced Cuba to rely on imports to meet demand.
How have consumers reacted to the egg prices?
Consumers have expressed distrust towards the low price, with many suspecting the quality of the product. The situation has highlighted the broader issues of scarcity and food insecurity in Cuba.