Domestic Tobacco Product Prices Rise in Cuba

[El Presidente]

 

 

Domestic Tobacco Product Prices Rise in Cuba

Credit: Timothy S. Donahue

Beginning on April 12, Cuban tobacco users experienced higher retail prices for cigarettes and cigars. The brands are the domestic tobacco products sold in local stores used by Cuban residents, not tourists.

According to the report, the prices of cigarette-style brands like Criollo, Titanes, and Popular are now CUP 30 ($1.25) per pack of 20. H. Upmann Clásico, a short cigar sold with and without filters, is CUP 50, and Popular Auténtico is now CUP 60. (It should be noted that an American dollar on Cuba’s black market averages about CUP 300 to $1; this would put the price of a 20-pack of Populars at about $0.10.)

Minister of Finance and Prices, Vladimir Regueiro, told Cuban media that the current cost does not cover all the costs and expenses related to the production and commercialization of the tobacco products.

In a press conference, he added that the measure would “contribute to reducing the fiscal deficit in the country, and new financial resources may be mobilized from the state budget to support the social expenses of priority sectors.”

He also said that tobacco is not a necessity for the population and that the responsibility of the State and the government is to guarantee an appropriate level and assortment of food products.

[Chas.Alpha]

I wonder what would happen to the Cuban economy if the U.S. released $30 billion in $5 dollar bills over the main cities? Just like raining fivers over the island!

[JohnnyO]

This article is a bit misleading. Criollo, Titanes, Popular, HUpmann are unfiltered cigarettes not cigars. The prices mentioned are subsidized by the government for the purpose of the ration cards or Carta de Abastecimiento. They are only sold to Cubans over the age of 50 and they might get 3-4 packs a month. They don't always get it every month. When this article was written the USD was 340:1. These are also sold in parallel markets. The HUp and Popular are available in the MLC stores in unfiltered and filtered versions. It's a hard core smoker that can handle these on a regular basis. John