A Cuban woman named Keidi Pérez has gained viral attention on Facebook after sharing a 56-second video where she humorously yet indignantly highlights the relentless surge in food prices across the island.
"Can you believe how crazy food prices are getting, folks? Just last week I bought a stick of butter, and today it's 50 pesos more," Pérez exclaims in the clip.
Pérez's grievances extend beyond just butter prices, delving into deeper issues like the rapidly dwindling purchasing power of the Cuban peso. "You don't need to buy shoes or clothes every day, but no matter how little you eat, you have to eat," she asserts, combining humor with a sense of despair.
To illustrate the increased amount of cash needed for market shopping, Pérez uses a nostalgic image familiar to many Cubans: "I remember my grandmother used a little purse, small enough to tuck under her arm. Now, you need a suitcase to go shopping."
She warns that the situation could get worse: "Soon, you'll need a wheelbarrow to carry your cash."
Her conclusion is both simple and devastating: "Speechless, absolutely speechless, folks."
Pérez's story is not unique. Official data from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) shows that annual inflation in Cuba reached 15.89% by May 2026, with the food and non-alcoholic beverages category rising by 19.24% compared to the previous year. Independent estimates suggest the real inflation rate may be significantly higher.
In markets and fairs, the prices are staggering: cooking oil ranges from 1,800 to 2,000 Cuban pesos (CUP), charcoal costs 3,500 CUP, and white cheese is priced at 1,000 CUP per pound. A basic food shopping trip in a neighborhood fair totaled 21,060 CUP on June 4, more than three times the average monthly salary.
The average Cuban salary is just 6,930 CUP per month, which is less than 13 USD at the current informal exchange rate, according to 2025 data from ONEI.
A recent academic estimate calculated that an individual needs at least 96,060 CUP monthly to meet basic needs, with 70,070 CUP required solely for food. This indicates that the average salary covers only 7% of what's necessary to live.
Other Cuban women have shared similar experiences on social media. One woman reported "out-of-control" prices at a fair in Trinidad, Sancti Spíritus, while another spent over 21,000 CUP on basic groceries in her neighborhood in early June.
The informal market exchange rate for the dollar, which started June at 585 CUP, surged to 680 CUP by June 17, further eroding the purchasing power of those reliant on foreign currency.
Understanding Cuba's Economic Challenges
What is causing the rising food prices in Cuba?
The rise in food prices in Cuba is largely attributed to economic policies, inflation, and currency devaluation, which are exacerbated by the government's management of resources and limited access to foreign markets.
How does inflation affect the average Cuban citizen?
Inflation significantly diminishes the purchasing power of Cubans, making it increasingly difficult to afford basic necessities such as food, which contributes to a declining standard of living.
What is the current exchange rate situation in Cuba?
The informal exchange rate for the dollar in Cuba has seen rapid fluctuations, with the rate climbing from 585 CUP to 680 CUP in June alone, reflecting the instability of the Cuban economy.