The soaring costs of basic necessities and rampant inflation have turned milk powder into a luxury item out of reach for many Cuban families. As wages remain low and inflation spirals, the price of a kilogram of milk powder is nearing the equivalent of the monthly minimum wage, officially set at 2,100 Cuban pesos (CUP).
In areas like El Cerro, the cost of milk powder has skyrocketed to approximately 2,000 CUP per kilogram, based on various Facebook posts reviewed by CiberCuba. These expenses, beyond what most citizens can afford, are depriving countless families of access to an essential food item, particularly in households with young children.
One advertisement on social media describes the product as "yellow milk, neither flavored nor fortified." The situation is even more dire for children with special needs. Dr. Danielly Aróstica from Sancti Spíritus shared her frustration online, highlighting that the price of a can of milk powder, equivalent to two months of her basic salary, is unattainable for her daughter, who suffers from multiple severe illnesses. "We live in a country where we are worth nothing," the doctor lamented, criticizing the government's lack of support amid the food crisis and the collapse of the healthcare system.
The distribution issues of milk affect the entire island, as illustrated by the scenario in Santiago de Cuba. There, Lácteos Santiago de Cuba reported insufficient inventory to meet the needs of children aged 2 to 6. In other provinces like Matanzas and Ciego de Ávila, families face prolonged shortages due to supply deficits and power outages that have disrupted dairy distribution.
Meanwhile, the government continues to propose makeshift solutions, such as replacing milk powder with questionable quality liquid milk or limiting milk distribution to only the youngest children, leaving older kids and those with chronic illnesses unprotected.
Impact of Milk Powder Prices on Cuban Families
Why is milk powder so expensive in Cuba?
The price of milk powder in Cuba has risen sharply due to basic product shortages and out-of-control inflation, making it unaffordable for many families.
How are families coping with the high cost of milk powder?
Many families are struggling to cope with the high costs, often going without milk powder, which affects their ability to provide essential nutrition for their children.
What solutions has the Cuban government proposed?
The Cuban government has offered temporary fixes like substituting milk powder with liquid milk of questionable quality and limiting distribution to younger children, but these measures fall short for many families.