A young Cuban woman known as Teridimercy Silva (@ts_sinfiltros) has stirred a significant response this week with her TikTok video titled "Mini Shopping While Living in Cuba." The video uncovers, without sugarcoating, the reality of what can be purchased on the island given current resources.
Silva showcases her grocery haul, which includes: Cuban cheese for 1,500 Cuban pesos, a tube of mortadella for 800 pesos, a package of peas for 1,000 pesos, a pack of small sausages for 470 pesos, and eggs for 105 pesos.
The total expense of this "mini shopping" trip amounts to approximately 3,875 Cuban pesos, a seemingly moderate figure until compared to the island's average wage scenario.
According to the National Office of Statistics and Information, as of November 2025, the average monthly salary in Cuba is around 6,830 pesos. This implies that Silva's basic grocery basket consumes over 56% of a state worker's monthly income.
Understanding the Economic Strain
The situation becomes even more dire when considering Cuba's minimum wage, which is merely 2,100 pesos a month, barely more than five dollars. Silva's "mini shopping" easily surpasses this income level.
Independent economists suggest that the minimum cost of living per person in Cuba exceeds 50,000 pesos monthly, roughly seven times the average salary. This disparity makes surviving solely on government wages nearly impossible.
Silva's video is part of a growing trend among Cubans on the island who use social media to document their everyday economic struggles, eliciting reactions of shock, empathy, and outrage from both the Cuban diaspora and those still residing in Cuba.
The Stark Reality of Cuban Pricing
This is not an isolated incident. Another Cuban, residing in Santiago de Cuba, spent 45,700 pesos on food for a month, an amount equivalent to six or seven average monthly salaries, as shown in another impactful social media video.
The prices Silva highlighted align with current rates in Cuba's informal markets: Cuban cheese sells for between 400 and 880 pesos per pound, mortadella ranges from 320 to 360 pesos, and meat products like sausages fluctuate between 500 and 1,000 pesos per pound.
A Crumbling Economic Framework
The decline in purchasing power is occurring amidst a profound structural crisis. The ration book system, in place since 1962, has collapsed and no longer meets even the most basic needs, while the Cuban peso has lost 95% of its value since 2020.
What once might have been considered a modest shopping trip has now become an unattainable luxury for most, with videos like Silva's serving as a social barometer that starkly illustrates the collapse of living standards in Cuba.
As one headline circulating in April succinctly put it: "Cuba has food, but at impossible prices."
Exploring Cuba's Economic Challenges
What does the "mini shopping" reveal about Cuba's economic conditions?
The "mini shopping" highlights the severe disparity between wages and the cost of basic goods, emphasizing the struggle to afford essentials in Cuba's economic climate.
How does the average salary in Cuba compare to living expenses?
With an average monthly salary of 6,830 pesos, typical living expenses like Silva's "mini shopping" can consume over 56% of a worker's income, highlighting a significant economic strain.
How has the value of the Cuban peso changed since 2020?
Since 2020, the Cuban peso has depreciated by 95%, which has substantially eroded purchasing power and exacerbated the cost of living crisis.