Scarce Supplies: Cigarettes in August, Beans in September, and Nothing in October at a Cuban Store

For over a decade, a storekeeper in Havana has witnessed the crumbling of Cuba's state supply chain firsthand. Her experience paints a stark picture: in August, only cigarettes arrived; September brought donated beans, and October began with empty shelves.

Ángela de la Caridad shared her situation in a report by Canal Caribe, aired on Cuban Television News. "In August, it was just cigarettes. September brought donated beans. As for October, which has just begun, nothing has arrived yet," she remarked.

This account, captured by journalist Talía González, underscores the dire state of Cuba's rationing system, which the regime officially downsized in July 2026 after years of gradual decline.

The Government's Response: Neighborhood Markets

The report highlights "neighborhood markets" as the government's proposed solution to the shortages. The Ministry of Domestic Trade (MINCIN) announced the opening of 24 such markets nationwide, with prices 10% to 15% lower than other outlets. These markets are managed by non-state operators — small businesses, cooperatives, and self-employed workers — who benefit from tax incentives.

However, citizens interviewed in the official report remain skeptical. "It's an option, but not a solution, as prices remain high," commented a local near a market in Plaza de la Revolución. Another resident was more blunt when asked if it could be a solution: "Not for retirees or workers."

Economic Realities and Public Skepticism

The skepticism is rooted in harsh economic realities. The minimum wage in Cuba is less than five dollars at the informal exchange rate, where one dollar was equivalent to 700 pesos in September 2026. This is starkly contrasted by a basic family basket estimated at around 96,000 pesos.

In one new market, imported sugar costs 1,330 pesos per kilo, and another customer spent 4,390 pesos just on eggs, noting prices were "the same" as elsewhere. "It's unfair that when salaries here are 5,000 or 6,000 pesos, if not less, products consume nearly half of that," said another shopper, who also criticized the lack of transparency in importers' margins.

The Roots of the Food Crisis

The food crisis in Cuba stems from deep-rooted structural issues that neighborhood markets alone cannot address. The nation imports about 80% of its food, agricultural production has plummeted to historic lows, and a shortage of foreign currency constrains imports.

A survey released in May 2026 revealed that one in three families in Cuba experienced hunger, with 33.9% of Cubans going to bed without dinner in 2025, and 94.9% experiencing some level of food insecurity. The Food Monitor Program reported that 96.91% of Cubans lacked adequate food access in 2026.

Meanwhile, the growing dollarization exacerbates inequality between those receiving remittances and those reliant on peso salaries. Even Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged in July 2025 that this process has widened social gaps, though the official rhetoric still vows to leave no one behind and continues to promise reforms aimed at "advancing socialism."

The state television journalist who authored the report acknowledged what the official narrative avoids: "Beyond tax incentives for those managing these markets, there is an urgent need for national production to keep them stocked or for imports not hindered by numerous middlemen." She added that "not all regions are ready to open such markets," and the supply outside Plaza de la Revolución is "far less."