A Cuban in Brazil shared a video detailing her weekly food expenses. In the post, the user @soy_yu1990 explained that her grocery shopping cost 509 reais, which is equivalent to 100 dollars, and compared these prices to those from the previous year, stating that with 600 reais last year, she could stock up for the entire month.
"With 600 reais, I used to eat in 2023 here in Brazil; if I spent 800, I had too much. Now I spend 100 dollars a week and barely eat anything," he commented in the video, where he shows the products he bought, which include rice, bread, fruits, milk, meats, and some processed items.
The young woman also responded to those who criticize her comparison of the Brazilian real to the dollar, stating that she has the right to make that equivalence: “I feel like it; I compared the national currency to the dollar, and I can do that as I please. I have nothing to do with you.”
The video generated multiple reactions among Cubans in Brazil and other countries. Some users pointed out that the cost of living in Brazil has increased significantly in recent years. "Prices have gone up. When I arrived here, with those 500 you could buy enough for the month and a little more," commented an internet user. Another user, who lives in Curitiba, stated that in his city, 500 reais buys even less.
Other emigrants compared the cost of living in Brazil with other countries in the region. “Super cheap, come to Costa Rica, hahahaha, because it’s expensive here,” wrote one person. Meanwhile, another user in Brasilia stated that with the same amount of money, they can get a larger shopping haul.
Some comments also criticized the choice of products, pointing out that there were many options with sugar or processed items. “You spent a lot on things that won't nourish you; they rather make you sick,” commented a follower, to which the video creator replied: “I have a teenager who eats.”
The testimony of @soy_yu1990 adds to other experiences of Cubans in Brazil who have spoken about the economy, the challenges faced by migrants, and the contrast with their previous life on the island.
Last November, a Cuban doctor who emigrated to Brazil shared that by working as a cleaning assistant, she has managed to buy appliances and products that were once an unattainable luxury in Cuba within just a few months. "I worked for seven years as a doctor in Cuba and did not have a washing machine or refrigerator," she confessed in her testimony, highlighting the difference in her quality of life despite doing work different from her profession.
Another Cuban, known on social media as @YaiCubaBrasil, recently went viral for her response to critics who questioned her for taking two years to buy a car. She explained that her financial situation improved when her husband arrived in Brazil and together they managed to start a design business. Her story sparked a debate about the pace of progress among emigrants.
On the other hand, influencer @studiodaysantoya refuted the idea that 'Brazil is Cuba with food', stating that emigration is not just about being able to eat better, but about opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The testimony of @soy_yu1990 has reignited the debate about the cost of living in Brazil for Cuban emigrants. While some confirm that prices have increased significantly in recent years, others argue that it remains more affordable compared to other countries. Beyond the figures, the discussion also reflects how each emigrant's experience depends on the city in which they reside, their income level, and their consumption habits.
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