3 25/03/2021 – 3:44 PM (GMT-4)
Dozens of Cubans reacted indignantly at the price of Nescafé, which the island’s government sells in stores in freely convertible currency, which ranges from $ 15.70 to more than $ 20 per 300 gram bottle.
This is Palco Shopping Center. If anyone knows what this Nescafé is made of, tell me. The price is so high that it might have some magical component or something and I’m half skeptical and that’s why I saw it expensive, ”posted a Cuban woman on Facebook, adding several photos of the shelves where the product is displayed to her post.
It shows that the Nescafé Classic – which varies between 3 and 4 dollars in Mexico, depending on the amount per gram (70 and 96 Mexican pesos); in the United States $ 7.72 and in Spain it is less than € 5.98 (Euro) – it costs $ 15.70 in Havana.
For its part, the 300 gram bottle of Nescafé Gold – which costs € 3.85 in Spain – costs $ 20.40.
Several internet users recalled that a few months ago the 200 gram Nescafé could be bought for 3.75 Cuc, but the prices in dollars are now too high.
“They want to make millions at our expense,” said one Facebook user, while another joked, “My God, he may have ground gold.”
“No, more expensive than New York, with the poverty here and Dubai prices”, “No, not you, it is expensive. Besides, I think it is better to buy it in Mexico, it is cheaper including the passage and accommodation and buying in USD 2×1, “And in the US it’s worth a dollar and a little … disrespectful,” are some of the comments.
“And what to say about the package of chicken breasts going up and down without explanation, I don’t know how far this will be”, “The problem is they set the resellers’ prices and they buy on the street they profit from it, and they will. they do. With all the products that can be seen live, I have no opinion, because if something doesn’t suit me, I don’t buy it or look for other options, ”others say.
A netizen, for his part, recommended not to buy the product to put pressure on the government to lower prices.
“That’s why they don’t buy it and have to lower it. They let go of the hot potato to see how many people put a tooth in it,” said one woman.
In the middle of the shortage in Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel’s government has dealt with the MLC fundraising Through exclusive shops where only people who receive money or work for foreign companies can buy, as wages on the island are paid in Cuban pesos and the authorities do not sell USD in the Exchange Houses (CADECA).
Last January, the regime began implementing the so-called “Ordinance Task”, which included a salary increase of up to 4.2 percent, but also a price increase of all products on the island between 5 and 13 percent.
After this measure, Cubans make sure they earn more money, but they are poorer every day because the salary is getting lower.
Recently, several families reported that the carton of eggs in the island’s black market ranges from 250 pesos to 400 pesos. ‘About a pound of milk powder: 250, 300, 400 pesos. Here in Central Havana, pork, if you find it, is 100 pesos a pound, ”they said.
In turn, actress Ariana Álvarez shared her bewilderment at the high bill when she went from paying 4 Cuban pesos for the service to 100 pesos.
A poll by the official Cubadebate portal On March 1, it revealed the dissatisfaction of the population of Cuba with the implementation of the economic reorganization, and that the islanders categorically reject the new measure.
When asked if they were able to meet their needs with the new salary in the first 59 days of the year, 66 percent of the participants said they were unable to do so.
To the second question, “Do you appreciate an inordinate rise in the prices of products and services?”, 76 percent of those surveyed replied, “Yes, in everything”; And 91 percent said the price increase had NOT improved the quality of products and services.
The survey was removed from the official website a day later and so far authorities have not said what they will do with the result, as they apparently have no intention of reversing the measure.