Cuba Increases Prices for Domestic Cigars

Since 2022, the rest of the world has witnessed an unprecedented increase in the prices of Cuban cigars. Now, Cubans themselves are seeing their cigars increase in price.

According to Prensa Latina—a state-run media organization—the cigars and cigarettes sold in Cuba for domestic consumption have increased in price. To be clear, these aren’t the Cuban cigars that are sold worldwide, rather, these are the cigars that are only sold in Cuba for Cubans.

Per the report, the prices of brands like Criollo, Titanes and Popular will now be 30 CUP ($1.25) per pack of 20. H. Upmann Clásico, a short cigar that is sold with and without filters, will be 50 CUP ($2.08) and Popular Auténtico will be 60 CUP ($2.50).

These cigars are rolled with tabaco negro Cubano—Cuban black tobacco—and are oftentimes known as a peso stick due to their lower prices. These cigars are sold at stores that Cuban citizens shop at, places that sell food and other essential items, but are not typically found at the stores on the island that sell the premium cigar brands from Habanos S.A.

The report says the increase in price is due to both increased manufacturing costs as well as the government’s need to raise more money for the state budget.