In a recent TikTok video, a Cuban woman from Santiago de Cuba revealed her monthly grocery haul, spending a total of 45,700 Cuban pesos—roughly equivalent to $86.
The content creator, known as Brianita_vlog (@briana5254), made her purchases at a private store called La Cubana, located at the corner of Calvario and San Ricardo in Santiago de Cuba, which operates from nine in the morning until five in the afternoon.
Her shopping list included items like coffee, cheese, ham, pork, loin, beans, rice, yogurt, olive oil, spaghetti, tomato puree, mayonnaise, condensed milk, gelatin, sardines, and some snacks.
The video addresses criticism Brianita_vlog has faced online. "I receive many comments accusing me of lying about food availability in Cuba, asking if I'm a millionaire, related to the President, or working for the government," she stated in the recording.
Her expenditure is nearly seven times the average monthly salary in Cuba, which is around 6,930 Cuban pesos, highlighting the financial strain such a purchase imposes on most Cubans.
At the time of her video, the informal market exchange rate for the dollar reached an all-time high of 530 Cuban pesos, compared to the official Central Bank of Cuba rate of 492 pesos per dollar.
This isn't the first instance of a Cuban documenting grocery expenses. Another content creator likened the act of shopping to a survival sport, while yet another spent a staggering 90,000 Cuban pesos in a month, largely due to family support from abroad.
The cost of staple foods on the island remains high. Recently, beans were reported to sell at 285 pesos per pound with purchase limits per household, illustrating widespread scarcity.
Cuba's economic crisis is severe, with the Cuban peso losing 95% of its value since 2020, drastically increasing living costs. Estimates suggest living expenses exceed 50,000 pesos monthly per person—an unattainable figure for those relying solely on state wages.
The Economic Struggles of Everyday Cubans
Why is the cost of living in Cuba so high?
The cost of living in Cuba is high due to the severe devaluation of the Cuban peso, which has lost 95% of its value since 2020. This has led to skyrocketing prices for basic goods and services.
How do Cubans manage with such high food prices?
Many Cubans rely on remittances from family abroad, engage in informal trading, or work multiple jobs to cope with the high cost of food and living expenses.
What is the average salary in Cuba?
The average salary in Cuba is approximately 6,930 Cuban pesos per month, which is insufficient to cover the basic monthly living expenses that exceed 50,000 pesos.