The Cuban government has sanctioned a fresh increase in the fees levied for food inspection and quality control services, a move that will affect both state-owned enterprises and private small businesses involved in food production and sales.
This decision is outlined in Official Gazette No. 52 of 2026 through Resolution 16/2026 from the Ministry of Food Industry (MINAL), signed by Minister Alberto López Díaz.
The updated pricing list revises the costs of over a hundred services offered by the National Office of State Inspection (ONIE), the body responsible for overseeing the safety and quality of food and beverages across Cuba.
These revisions mark a significant rise compared to the rates established in 2024. In some of the most commonly utilized analyses, prices have nearly doubled.
For instance, the potentiometric acidity determination has increased from 97.44 Cuban pesos to 194.88 CUP, whereas the determination of alcohol content by pycnometry has risen from 97.61 CUP to 195.21 CUP.
The most expensive services remain audits, now amounting to 4,935.85 CUP, followed by advisory services through conferences, which cost 2,140.86 CUP. Additionally, fees for consultancy, specialized courses, and other technical services related to food quality control have also surged.
Among the laboratory tests included in the update are microbiological analyses to detect Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes, along with physical-chemical evaluations and sensory controls utilized by food and beverage producers.
This resolution replaces the regulations approved in 2020 and 2024, which previously governed the pricing of these services.
According to MINAL, the update aligns with Resolution 337 of 2021 from the Ministry of Finance and Prices, a directive that mandated a review of wholesale prices across all state entities following the monetary reorganization process.
This measure comes amid a backdrop of persistent inflation, rising production costs, and the challenges faced by both state enterprises and the private sector in ensuring food supply.
The ONIE operates six accredited laboratories in the country and plays a crucial role in the sanitary certification of food products, a requirement that both state and private producers must meet to market various goods.
The increase is particularly significant for small enterprises, whose role in the food sector has expanded in recent years. In January 2026, Minister López Díaz reported that MINAL maintained over 4,000 contracts with private companies, and these productive linkages contributed more than 68,000 tons of food during 2025.
With the new fees, the cost of complying with the quality and safety controls mandated by the state will now be greater for all parties involved in food production in Cuba.
FAQs on Cuba's New Laboratory Fees for Food Production
Why has Cuba increased laboratory fees for food producers?
The increase in laboratory fees is part of an update in accordance with the Ministry of Finance and Prices' Resolution 337 of 2021, aiming to adjust wholesale prices across state entities after monetary reforms.
Which services are most affected by the fee increase?
Audit services have seen the highest increase, now costing 4,935.85 CUP, followed by advisory services through conferences at 2,140.86 CUP.
How does this fee increase impact small enterprises in Cuba?
Small enterprises will face higher costs for meeting state-mandated food safety and quality controls, which could impact their operational expenses and pricing strategies.