Cubans Outraged by Egg Prices: "I Thought the Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs Was a Fairy Tale"

A video originating from Trinidad in central Cuba has captured significant attention, revealing egg cartons priced at a staggering 4,500 Cuban pesos in the black market. This exorbitant cost has sparked outrage among Cubans both on and off the island.

The clip, shared via the Facebook account "Con mirelis dapresa," has garnered over 345,000 views and attracted numerous comments.

At 4,500 pesos, a carton containing 30 eggs translates to 150 pesos per egg—a price that is crushing for any Cuban state worker.

With the average monthly salary in Cuba hovering around 6,930 pesos, buying such a carton would consume nearly 65% of a month's earnings. For those earning the minimum wage—set at 3,210 pesos since July 2026—the cost would exceed 140% of their monthly income.

Public Outcry Over Soaring Egg Prices

In previous food crises in Cuba, eggs were a staple that many relied on. Today, however, consuming an egg has become a luxury that few families can afford.

The soaring egg prices have led to an outpouring of reactions on social media, where many users have resorted to irony to express how this basic food item has become prohibitively expensive.

"I thought the story about the goose that laid the golden eggs was just a fairy tale," commented one user. Another noted, "This is pure misery; it's my entire month's salary."

Another netizen wryly remarked, "The price of eggs has taught us a valuable lesson: never underestimate who you might need one day."

Impact on Cuban Diet and Market Disparities

Eggs are a crucial component of the Cuban diet and were once subsidized by the government through ration books. However, the collapse of national production and insufficient regulated distribution have forced the majority of the population to rely on the informal market, where prices are unchecked.

Price disparities across provinces are stark. In Santiago de Cuba, a carton of eggs has exceeded 7,500 pesos, while in Havana, individual eggs are sold for between 180 and 250 pesos.

Reports from Las Tunas indicate a price of 135 pesos per egg, and efforts in Villa Clara and Matanzas to cap prices at 110 pesos per egg have been consistently surpassed in the actual market.

Trinidad is not an isolated case. The same area saw pork priced at 850 pesos per pound at an agricultural fair in August, and cooking oil reached 2,650 pesos per liter in July.

Underlying these issues is a deepening economic crisis. Official inflation in Cuba reached 20.70% year-on-year in July 2026, with food and beverages being the primary drivers.