A video published by the Cuban stylist and content creator Joiker Fashion highlights the outrageous prices of bread in Santiago de Cuba and has sparked a wave of outraged reactions on social media, where Cubans agree that obtaining this basic food has become a privilege for the few.
In the images, a bag of bread priced at 700 Cuban pesos (CUP) is evident, a price that left thousands of followers speechless. The video garnered over 47,000 views and 166 comments in a short time, with reactions ranging from bitter humor to despair.
The comments reflect a reality that impacts the most vulnerable families. "These days, having a bread with oil and salt is for millionaires," wrote a user.
Another internet user was more direct: “You have to be a millionaire to buy bread”.
A person incredulously asked: “Does it say a bag of bread for 700 pesos there?”, while someone else summarized the situation with irony: “Those breads are made of gold.”
Resignation also found its place among the comments. "We have no choice; if it weren't for them, we wouldn't have bread," admitted a follower.
What the content creator shows in Santiago is not an isolated case. In Villa Clara, a medium loaf of bread ranges between 140 and 200 CUP, figures that are equally out of reach for most people.
In Havana, the Cuban Bread Company officialized prices starting July 2026 of 110 CUP for 100 grams, 220 CUP for 200 grams, and up to 550 CUP for 500 grams.
The drama is better understood by contrasting those prices with the actual purchasing power of Cubans. The minimum wage in effect since July 2026 is 3,210 CUP per month, equivalent to less than five dollars at the informal exchange rate.
A loaf of bread costing 700 CUP represents almost a quarter of that monthly income. Economists estimate that, in Cuba, meeting basic needs requires around 96,000 CUP per month, of which more than 70,000 is spent solely on food.
Bread, which has historically been a staple and subsidized food in the Cuban diet, has become a luxury item for many families.
Filed under: