The price of beer in Cuba rises: new tax increases the cost of imported beverages

The price of beer and other imported alcoholic beverages will increase in Cuba following the implementation of a new tax that raises their marketing costs in the country, amidst growing economic pressure on the population.

The Resolution 56/2026 from the Ministry of Finance and Prices establishes a tax of 0.30 dollars per liter on the importation of beer, whisky, vodka, gin, liqueurs, and other spirits, effective from March 19.

Although the tax is formally imposed on importers, in practice its impact will be passed on to the final consumer.

This will involve direct increases in prices, such as approximately $0.10 more for a 355-milliliter can of beer or at least $0.30 for one-liter containers, with higher increases for larger formats or sales in bars.

The measure is part of the government's policies to attract more foreign currency amid the economic crisis and the process of partial dollarization.

The tax must be paid in freely convertible currency and will add to already high costs, such as logistics and profit margins.

The new tax exclusively affects imported beverages, which means that domestic productions such as Bucanero or Parranda are exempt from this regulation, potentially enhancing their presence in the market.

The increase in cost occurs in a context marked by strong inflation.

According to the independent media elTOQUE, official data shows that alcoholic beverages and tobacco have experienced one of the highest price increases in the country, with a year-on-year rise of nearly 70%.

At the same time, the economic deterioration continues to affect the purchasing power of Cubans, with an increasingly devalued peso and a foreign exchange market that restricts access to basic and consumer goods.