Cuba's National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) recently published its monthly report on "Minimum and Maximum Prices of Varieties," revealing the current cost of a pound of rice in each provincial capital across the country.
Rice, an essential food in the Cuban diet, registered notable price differences between different regions, according to data corresponding to the month of May 2018. 2025.
According to the ONEIThe lowest rice price was observed in Bayamo, at 155 pesos per pound, while the highest was in Havana, where it reached 340,90 pesos per pound. The difference represents a huge gap of almost 186 pesos per pound between the capital and one of the provinces in eastern Cuba.
In terms of variability, Bayamo also had the largest price difference within a single location, with a range from 155 to 240 pesos per pound, suggesting a marked disparity between different points of sale, whether state agricultural markets or non-state establishments.
Consumer Price Index Cuba: May 2025
These prices were recorded through the Consumer Price Index (CPI) system and reflect the market behavior for essential goods such as rice, which is key to analyzing the cost of living on the island.
The economist Pedro Monreal said recently about the impact that the price of rice has had on the country's inflation outlook. According to his statements on the social network X, "rice had the greatest effect on the monthly price increase in the 'food and non-alcoholic beverages' division." Although general inflation in Cuba fell from 31,11% in May 2024 to 16,43% in May 2025, rising food prices remain a matter of concerncupation
The specialist also highlighted that this spike in food prices broke the downward trend in inflation that had been maintained for three consecutive months, highlighting the fragility of the country's economic equilibrium. "Inflation continues its course without anti-inflationary policies," commented internet user M. T. on social media, reflecting the sentiment of many citizens regarding the lack of effective measures to control rising prices.
While the government provides official figures on the price of products like rice, the reality in the markets continues to severely impact Cubans' wallets. Are these the prices in your province?
Keep reading on Directorio Noticias
Follow our channels WhatsApp, Telegram y Facebook.
The Cuban peso continues to fall: see how much the USD, EUR and MLC us - Important information from CADECA regarding the sale of dollars and other currencies in Cuba
- Rutaca Airlines will begin direct flights to Havana starting July 18.
Let us know what you think:
16 comments
Here in Camagüey, it's between $240 and $260. Until when? Soon we'll be horses or cows eating grass to survive.
Here in Cuba everything is upside down, prices that we can't even reach with a ladder, not even the medicine by card arrives, even those with lung disease have to cook with firewood, to get cash it is 20 percent or more, how much does the worker lose of his miserable salary? The salary is put on cards, it cannot be withdrawn, they don't want to sell by transfer, so sometimes we can't eat and the next day to work and watch out if you arrive late, what can I say about the horrible price of transportation, there are no fares by sections. Why are there warehouses if they don't bring anything anymore? If those who have a more or less salary scream, what will become of the retirees who depend on a checkbook of less than 2000 pesos if a bottle of oil costs 1000 and a little more and varies every day. These are some of the problems of my Cuba 🇨🇺 that was BEAUTIFUL. I know the external blockade exists, but the biggest blockade is the internal one. At any moment, the psychiatric hospitals will collapse, or the crazy people will walk in masses through the streets. What has happened to this prestigious country that was an example to the world? What will become of the brave Cubans? WE MUST PUT NEW HEADS TO WORK AND REPRESENT THIS FIGHTING PEOPLE. Thank you for reading my comment.
Good morning, it seems to me that the government is a little blind because everyone's prices are out of control and there is no inspector who goes and fines them because rice prices are high, they do not go down from 250 to 320, imported and non-imported, beans from 24 are 270 to 290, white and brown sugar that the state does not have 240 to 500 and so on without counting spices, salads and nobody puts a stop to it, where are we going to end up and I'm talking about the TCPs, MSMEs, fairs, etc., etc.
I am from Santiago de Cuba.
Until when will illegal vendors be selling? In my municipality there are more clandestine vendors who hinder sales to TCPs and no one controls them and the inspectors only impose exorbitant fines on those who are legally contributing to the state. No one cares about these illegal vendors who do not contribute to the state and only hinder the legal ones.cupThey are the ones who live the best in this country. Please control the illegals first, and then take appropriate measures against the TCPs that are violating them.
There are millions of people selling and when you come to the legal reality there are one or two.
The problem of the different prices of rice in Cuba is the central government's fault, as it has authorized municipal companies and individuals to set whatever price they see fit.
Oh, that is a serious mistake. With the crisis and the shortage of products, corruption in municipal and provincial governments is becoming more and more important. The state must establish a price ceiling for the entire country and eliminate supply and demand, knowing the abuse of these legal thieves against the humble people.
Well, come to Quemado de Güines, Villa Clara, where the price of Creole rice is $260.00 pesos and exports are $300.00 pesos in Mexican pesos, hidden because there is no way to arrive and buy.
The greater the number of laws, the greater the number of thieves... when anarchy flourishes, corruption rules... The government guides (not commands) and people do what they want, there is no government. There is already a new place for exploiters. "Sale Seller" promotes ETECSA. The government authorizes. And so, with every new invention, it favors the robber, the lazy person who lives off the government's invention and there is no one to control him, they are more important than a doctor or engineer. All this embarrasses and irritates me. Fidel was, Fidel is and will be irreplaceable 👍🇨🇺🗡️
mentira
I only think about the elderly, sick children, and diabetics. I ask myself this question: Where is the milk for diabetics? Underweight children. People with cancer who never wanted to get sick. Please take note and evaluate the situation of this patient. Sincerely.
Good evening, rice in my town is 270 pesos.
🙄🤔🙏? And why did it charge that price? Because the state, the only one responsible for guaranteeing it, simply doesn't guarantee it.🤔🙏
Where there is rice at 155cup?
It is already a lack of respect to the people that rice is given free and controlled and not even a quarter of the population is able to reach at least the point of promoting progress. Almost no one took it and instead of giving it to the market, they concentrated it on progress.
In real life, the government doesn't give a damn about the Cuban people. Then we see Diaz-Canel with high prices. The only ones who have high prices are the State, regardless of who eats or doesn't eat.
Diaz-Canel is always saying that when food is bought, it's for the millions, and here in Cuba, it's been two months since you've given absolutely nothing, not even eight million. Besides, what food are you buying, Diaz-Canel? You haven't given anything to Cubans for two months.
God bless the people of Cuba. Blessings
Good afternoon, I am a widow of one thousand seventy pesos. Can I buy gas, electricity, and water online? Because it is a fixed rate, I pay little, but for the rest, some months a little, other months a lot. And they feed them. Yes, they hit me, of course, because the prices of the mipimis and the grocery store are still a little high, more or less, but I buy my own seasonings. Look how high that price is. Just one is fine, cumin is 90 pesos, but onions and mixed vegetables are 200 and more. I can't buy them. The truth is that this is crazy, but God will open the doors and we will have better options. Because faith is to rest. God makes me favorable. Thank you very much and may God bless you and help you take our problems into account since October XNUMX. [email protected]
Let's be honest, MSMEs have nothing to do with prices. They sell them at a high price, so they have to sell them at an equally high price. If we're going to deceive ourselves, it's better not to comment. Thank you, but that's my opinion.