Coffee prices in Miami shock Cuban-Americans who buy to send to the island: consequences for families in Cuba of the unstoppable rise. Coffee has always been an essential part of Cuban life, both on the island and in the diaspora. However, in recent months, coffee prices in Miami have skyrocketed, generating concern.cupaction not only among local consumers, but also among those who usually send this product to their relatives in Cuba.
In Miami supermarkets like Sedano's, Navarro, and Presidente, iconic brands like Café Bustelo and La Llave are now selling for over $13 and $11 per package, respectively.
In some nearby cities, such as Naples, Florida, prices have reached as high as $15.19. This trend has not gone unnoticed by Cubans who, despite inflation, continue to buy coffee to send to their families.
“I thought I was the only one who noticed, but yesterday I saw a pack of Bustelo for over $15. It's incredible,” one consumer commented on social media.
The problem is compounded because the coffee from the warehouse in Cuba is not only of low quality, but also arrives with significant delays in distribution from the Ministry of National Institute of Cienfuegos (MINCIN). For many families, receiving a package sent from Miami is the only way to enjoy decent coffee in sufficient quantities.
Extremely high prices for Cuban coffee in Miami
However, rising demand has caused some markets to limit purchases to two packages per person. “Business owners know where the coffee is going and take advantage of the situation. The result is that the price continues to rise,” explained another consumer.
In cities like Texas, the increase is also noticeable: "Here, coffee was 4.95 and now it costs 6.45. Small cans cost 7.98, and large cans that used to cost 14 are now 20," said Rosy CespZald.
For Cuban families, the impact is twofold: in Miami they must pay increasingly high prices, and on the island, their dependence on these shipments becomes more evident. Coffee, a symbol of unity and tradition, thus becomes another reflection of the economic crisis that une to Cubans inside and outside the country.