Yaneisy Canta, a Cuban content creator, recently highlighted the high cost of preparing a single meal in Cuba through a Facebook video. She spent 2,400 pesos on just two pounds of chicken mince and a package of rice, the most affordable items she could find in her local area.
"This is the real budget needed to eat in Cuba. This time, I went for the cheapest options available," Yaneisy stated at the beginning of the video, which has garnered nearly 58,000 views. She emphasized the harsh realities Cuba faces, with food being a significant issue.
Living in a remote village, Yaneisy struggles with limited food availability. On that particular day, chicken mince was priced at 1,400 pesos for two pounds, and a package of rice cost 1,000 pesos.
"I can't buy the food I like here simply because it's either unavailable or not sold," she explained.
The cost of chicken mince, the most accessible protein for many Cuban families, has surged to 700 pesos per pound. This marks a notable increase from earlier, when prices jumped from 450 to 600 pesos in just a few days at the end of August.
Yaneisy calculated on camera: "For an average Cuban, this amount is significant. Imagine spending 2,400 pesos daily. That totals 74,400 pesos monthly."
This projection exceeds the average state salary in Cuba, which the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) reports as approximately 6,930 pesos per month, and far surpasses the minimum wage of 3,210 pesos set in July.
The recent price hike for chicken mince aligns with a widespread increase in prices triggered by the Ministry of Finance and Prices' Resolution 150/2026, which removed national price caps on essentials like chicken, oil, powdered milk, pasta, and sausages. Although MDM mince wasn't included, the ripple effect was immediate, sending chicken package prices soaring from 3,000 to over 7,000 pesos in some areas.
Weeks after this regulation's introduction, the price cap on rice, another staple, was also lifted.
Economist Javier Pérez Capdevila estimates an individual requires approximately 96,060 pesos monthly to meet basic needs, with 70,070 pesos allocated solely for food.
Understanding Cuba's Rising Food Costs
What factors have contributed to the rising food costs in Cuba?
The soaring food prices in Cuba are largely due to the removal of national price caps on key food items, such as chicken, oil, and rice, as dictated by Resolution 150/2026. This has led to a ripple effect, exacerbating the existing food scarcity and inflation.
How does the current cost of living in Cuba compare to the average salary?
The cost of living, especially for food, greatly surpasses the average Cuban salary. With food expenses alone estimated at 70,070 pesos monthly, this is significantly higher than the average state salary of around 6,930 pesos, highlighting a severe economic disparity.