A recent agricultural fair in Trinidad, Sancti Spíritus, has once again brought to light the staggering cost of food in Cuba. At the event, pork was being sold at 850 Cuban pesos per pound, a rate that, despite being among the lowest noted in the country in 2026, remains far beyond the financial reach of many Cubans.
A video taken at the fair shows a price list at a meat stall where pork was priced at 850 CUP per pound, mutton at 700 CUP, liver at 600 CUP, lungs at 300 CUP, head at 250 CUP, and trotters at 150 CUP. The footage shared on Facebook quickly garnered nearly 449,000 views, underscoring the relentless price increases that make meat nearly unaffordable for the majority of the population.
Interestingly, the prices in Trinidad are among the lowest reported nationwide in 2026. In Havana, pork prices have fluctuated between 1,000 and 1,500 CUP per pound this year. In May, the Cuban Institute of Economic and Political Freedom (ICLEP) recorded sales at 900 CUP per pound in private markets, and in June, five pounds of ribs reached 5,400 CUP, equating to 1,080 CUP per pound.
The Economic Impact on Cuban Households
The disparity between wages and food prices is staggering. From January to April 2026, the official average monthly salary was 7,074 CUP, translating to roughly 13 to 17 dollars on the informal exchange rate, according to the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI). The minimum wage, set at 3,210 CUP as of July 1st, equates to a mere 4.65 dollars.
Given these figures, a single pound of pork at 850 CUP consumes over 10% of an average state worker's monthly income. Cuba's inflation is spiraling out of control. According to ONEI, the food and non-alcoholic beverage category experienced an annual variation of 22.79% in June 2026, with pork prices alone climbing 6.76% that month.
Market Segmentation Worsens the Crisis
The fragmented Cuban market exacerbates the crisis. While pork sells for around 850 CUP per pound at fairs like Trinidad’s, a store in dollars at the Comodoro Hotel in Havana listed pork chops at nearly 130 dollars each in July, an amount unattainable for nearly all Cubans.
This price surge has not been sudden. Back in 2018, pork cost around fifty Cuban pesos per pound. By 2022, the price rose to 340 CUP; in 2023, it reached between 500 and 580 CUP; and by 2024, it had already surpassed 1,000 CUP in the capital.
The crisis stems directly from decades of failed economic policies, a shortage of supplies for pig farming, and the rapid devaluation of the Cuban peso. In response to public pressure, the Matanzas government announced reference prices for staple foods like chicken, ground meat, rice, eggs, beans, and oil on August 10. However, pork was notably absent from these price caps, leaving the issue starkly summarized by the Trinidad price list unresolved.
Understanding Cuba's Food Pricing Crisis
What are the current pork prices in Cuba?
As of 2026, pork prices in Cuba have reached 850 Cuban pesos per pound in Trinidad, with prices in Havana ranging from 1,000 to 1,500 CUP.
How does the price of pork compare to the average Cuban salary?
With the average monthly salary around 7,074 CUP, a pound of pork at 850 CUP represents more than 10% of a state worker's earnings.
What factors contribute to the high cost of pork in Cuba?
The high cost of pork results from decades of mismanagement, scarcity of farming supplies, and the rapid depreciation of the Cuban peso.