A Cuban woman residing in Spain recently visited the island and experienced firsthand the ordeal of trying to buy an egg to make an omelette for her partner. "It feels like a meme, but it's a tragedy," stated Claudia G. Catalán, who had not been to her homeland in over two years.
The young woman traveled to her native Santiago de Cuba to reunite with her family and friends. During her stay, she wanted to prepare an omelette for her Spanish boyfriend, only to realize that the house was out of eggs. This marked the beginning of her ordeal, revealing "what Cubans go through to accomplish the most basic daily tasks," as she confessed in a video shared on her TikTok account.
She first went to a small business to buy eggs, but they were out of stock. Then she had to queue at an ATM to get cash and eventually found eggs at a local market for 150 pesos each. But upon returning home, the power went out.
Rising Prices Amidst Scarcity
The scarcity of eggs in Cuba has driven prices to alarming levels, with a carton now costing over 5,000 pesos on the informal market. Last week, the Facebook profile Edmundo Dantés Junior highlighted the exorbitant cost, noting that "almost a doctor's salary in my province" is required to buy a carton of eggs (30 units).
In the midst of the severe food crisis affecting Cubans, rampant inflation has made basic products unattainable for most families. Miguel Viera, a lawyer well-known on Facebook for his reflections and criticisms of Cuban reality, sarcastically commented on the situation by showing a table with eggshells, claiming he had "invested almost a dollar in them."
"And here I am! Waiting for the ladies with creative recipes to figure out a way to use eggshells. After paying more than 100 pesos for each egg... something must be done with them," he remarked with sarcasm.
In July, the cost of a carton of eggs in Havana had already surpassed the country's minimum wage, reaching an average of 2,225 pesos. Just a month later, the price skyrocketed.
The National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) reported in its latest release that annual inflation in Cuba's formal market reached 30.48% in July, with almost all categories experiencing yearly price increases above 10%, confirming the sustained loss of purchasing power on the island.
Economist Pedro Monreal noted that the official July data "confirm the collapse of the anti-inflation component of the 2024 economic package—announced by the regime in a fragmented and inconsistent manner—resulting in a sustained loss of purchasing power" for the population.
Understanding Cuba's Economic Crisis
Here are some frequently asked questions to better understand the economic hardships and daily struggles faced by Cubans.
Why are eggs so expensive in Cuba?
The scarcity of eggs and rampant inflation in Cuba have driven prices to unprecedented levels, making basic food items hard to afford for the average Cuban family.
What impact does inflation have on Cuban families?
Inflation erodes the purchasing power of Cuban families, making it increasingly difficult for them to afford basic necessities such as food and medicine.
How has the Cuban government responded to the economic crisis?
The Cuban government's response has been fragmented and inconsistent, failing to effectively address the inflation and economic hardships faced by its citizens.