The Delio Luna Echemendía Agrarian Fair in Sancti Spíritus quadrupled its entry fee last Sunday, increasing from five to 20 Cuban pesos. This decision sparked dissatisfaction among locals and forced authorities to make public explanations.
The management of the facility justified the price increase by stating that the fair operates under a business system subordinate to the Ministry of Agriculture, and that the 176 economic and social transformations approved by the National Assembly in June now grant it autonomy to set its own prices, emphasized this Thursday the official newspaper Escambray.
The press outlet recalled that state-owned companies can now "decentralize the authority to approve wholesale and retail prices," taking into account costs, market trends, and the value chain, without the need for higher-level approval.
That legal framework, which was also formalized in the Decree-Law that expands state enterprise autonomy, is the foundation upon which the fair's management defends the measure.
The statement also assured that the change "was neither arbitrary nor whimsical, and was even consulted beforehand," adding that the current 20 pesos "are still well below what is charged at other fairs in the country, which ranges between 50 and 150 pesos."
They explained that the ticket sales revenue is allocated to cover urgent expenses: repairs of the venues, painting, restoration of the rodeo arena—which requires welding work—and land conditioning.
All those projects must be contracted with small and medium-sized enterprises or self-employed workers who charge high prices. Furthermore, a percentage of the revenue is transferred to the municipal government's festival fund.
But the explanation did not convince everyone. Reader Alex pointed out in the comments section of Escambray that the article does not clarify why the increase was not announced in advance: "As is often the case, if people do not complain, no one explains, and that is what causes the most harm."
The increase occurs in a context of widespread price escalation in recreational spaces throughout Cuba, while the average salary hovers around 6,800 pesos per month.
The National Aquarium of Havana charges 150 pesos for adult entry, and in Sancti Spíritus itself, the fair Arte para Mamá, held in May, was also criticized for its unaffordable prices for most Cubans.
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