A video from the Argentine outlet Agarrá la Pala captures a heartwarming moment where a Cuban man, accompanied by his grandson, navigates the aisles of a supermarket for the first time, astonished by the sheer abundance of products.
Throughout the clip, the man stares in disbelief at the fruits, vegetables, and other staples that are often scarce or hard to come by in Cuba. "Look at the avocados, look... look at the garlic here," he remarks, clearly amazed by the variety available.
His reaction reaches an emotional peak when he exclaims, "Help! As the saying goes, I'm speechless," as he gazes at shelves brimming with fruits and bread.
In wonder, he asks, "I wonder what they do with so much stuff here... Who buys it all?"
The video also features a woman's voice encouraging him to make the most of the experience. "Whatever you want to try, whatever you want to eat, buy it without any worry," she assures him, asking if he's happy. "Too much," he replies.
Such scenes have become increasingly common on social media in recent years. Videos showing Cubans moved to tears upon entering supermarkets abroad for the first time often go viral, highlighting the stark contrast with the reality back home.
A recent example saw a Cuban woman post a TikTok video of her father weeping during his first day in Spain as he witnessed shelves overflowing with food, a clip that garnered over 2.2 million views in less than two days.
Similar footage has emerged from countries like the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and the United States, where Cuban migrants react with disbelief to everyday items like meats, fruits, cheeses, and sodas.
The Persistent Food Crisis in Cuba
These poignant reactions stem from a longstanding food crisis in Cuba. For decades, basic foodstuffs have been subject to rationing and heavy state control, with agricultural production dwindling and imports restricted due to a lack of foreign currency.
The outcome is a chronic shortage that forces citizens to rely on informal networks, endure long lines, or shop at state-run markets with prices out of reach for most salaries and pensions.
This economic hardship, alongside a lack of opportunities and widespread crises, has driven the largest exodus in modern Cuban history.
Between 2021 and 2025, it's estimated that around two million Cubans will have emigrated, seeking the living conditions abroad that are unavailable in their homeland.
Understanding Cuban Migration and Food Scarcity
Why are basic food items scarce in Cuba?
Basic food items are scarce in Cuba due to decades of rationing, heavy government control, declining agricultural production, and limited imports caused by a shortage of foreign currency.
What has caused the recent wave of Cuban emigration?
The recent wave of Cuban emigration has been driven by economic hardships, lack of opportunities, and a widespread crisis in the country, prompting many to seek better living conditions abroad.
How have social media platforms played a role in highlighting Cuba's issues?
Social media platforms have amplified Cuba's issues by quickly spreading videos of Cubans reacting emotionally to the abundance in foreign supermarkets, drawing global attention to the contrast with life on the island.