What can you purchase in a Cuban market with 1000 pesos today? This is the question a young woman aimed to answer as she ventured to a market in Holguín with that amount of money. From her TikTok account, @aprendedorajeje, the TikToker shared her experience, starting with a comment that reveals her shock: "Guys, I'm traumatized. How can a coconut cost 100 pesos? How can 100 pesos be worth a coconut? And you know, the first thing you need to do is buy a good bag."
Throughout her journey, she continued to express her frustration with the prices: "Every time I go out shopping, I get insulted because it seems like there's a competition here to see which price can rise the fastest. I can't keep up, and this is what I managed to buy: 1.5lb of potatoes for 450 pesos, a cabbage for 240, and an avocado for 150 pesos. What do you think?" She added in her post: "I'll save 140 CUP for next time."
The comments from her followers came swiftly:
- "Well, with 3 dollars in the USA, you can't even buy that."
- "How can a coconut be 100 pesos?"
- "And here I am complaining about making 1000 dollars a month."
- "That's in Holguín at the Chinese markets."
- "You bought quite a lot."
- "Well, here with 3 dollars, you can barely buy a chocolate bar."
Understanding the Cost of Living in Cuba
The following questions and answers provide more context about the current economic situation in Cuba, especially regarding market prices.
Why are market prices in Cuba so high?
Market prices in Cuba are high due to a combination of factors, including economic sanctions, limited supply of goods, and an unstable economy. These issues have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and government inefficiencies.
How do Cubans manage with such high prices?
Cubans often have to be very resourceful, relying on multiple income streams, remittances from family abroad, and bartering to get by. They also depend heavily on government rations, although these are often insufficient.
What is the average income in Cuba?
The average monthly salary in Cuba is approximately 30 to 50 USD, depending on the sector. However, this is often not enough to cover basic living expenses due to the high cost of goods.