A video shared on TikTok by the Cuban user zol.arias has generated over 1.2 million views in just four days, showing how, in her store, she was collecting the rice for the month of June at the end of September, using the supply booklet.
“I’m standing in line with my mom here at the store to buy the rice from June; we’re in September, but it just arrived now,” she explains while recording. In her notebook, she states, only she and her brother are registered, which is why they received a total of six pounds of rice. “Clearly, no one can eat with just six pounds of rice for an entire month,” she asserts, noting that for the rest of the month, they have to buy on the street or from small businesses, “at inflated prices.”
The young woman also highlights the quality of the product: "This rice comes dirty, it needs to be cleaned, it comes with small stones and seeds." In the video, the storekeeper is seen jotting down notes on a control sheet, using an old scale along with the peas included in the delivery. "I make these videos so people can see what life is like for Cubans," she says, before showing her mother waiting with bags.
The content has sparked thousands of reactions both from within and outside Cuba. In the comments, phrases such as "That shouldn't happen in 2025," "Three pounds of rice don’t even last a week," "Thank God I was born in Peru," "How do they wash it if there’s no water?" and "That looks like Venezuela in 2016," can be seen, among many others.
In September, the Business Group of Commerce of Las Tunas announced that only one pound of sugar would be distributed per person within the regulated basket.
Also that month, Miguel Díaz-Canel expressed gratitude from Laos for the "extraordinary contribution to rice production in Cuba from Lao seeds," which drew criticism for its contrast with a national harvest that, according to official data, barely meets 20% of the demand.
In previous months, other users on TikTok shared similar situations. In July, a Cuban from Matanzas filmed the inside of her store: empty shelves, dirt, and less rice than she was entitled to based on the ration book. She mentioned that “rice is available every four months, hygiene products every six, and coffee, don’t even get me started, sometimes it’s as long as eight or ten months.”
In August, another young woman summarized her daily life on social media with a phrase that went viral: "Food? Here we eat whatever shows up." Her words matched the figures from the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights, which indicate that 89% of Cubans are living in extreme poverty.
In May, a report from Santiago de Cuba revealed that the delivery of products corresponding to March was still ongoing, and that only one kilogram of rice or a can of sardines was being distributed to specific groups such as children and the elderly.
The Minister of Domestic Trade, Betsy Díaz Velázquez, acknowledged in July that the State cannot ensure the regular supply of products such as rice, milk, or coffee. That same month, she revealed that a worker at a warehouse lost his life during an attempted robbery.
Testimonials like that of zol.arias illustrate a widespread reality in which delays, poor product quality, and insufficient quantities are part of the daily lives of many families in Cuba. Although not all bodegas present the same conditions, recent examples reflect a system that, according to the citizens themselves, no longer fulfills its basic function.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Food Crisis in Cuba
Why are there delays in rice delivery in Cuba?
Delays in rice delivery in Cuba are due to a combination of factors, including low national production, which only meets 20% of the demand, and dependence on imports. Furthermore, the distribution system through the supply booklet is overwhelmed by delays and is failing to fulfill its basic function.
How does the quality of rice affect the Cuban population?
The quality of rice distributed in Cuba is often poor, with dirty grains and the presence of small stones and seeds, which forces families to clean it before consuming it. This situation adds to the scarcity and the inflated prices in the informal market, further complicating access to basic food.
What is the situation of the rationing system in Cuba?
The rationing system in Cuba, based on the supply booklet, no longer guarantees a regular delivery of basic products such as rice, milk, or coffee. This system faces constant delays and insufficient quantities, forcing families to turn to the informal market at high prices.
What has the Cuban government said about rice production?
The Cuban government has acknowledged the crisis in rice production, with the Minister of Domestic Trade admitting that the State cannot ensure the regular delivery of basic products. However, official statements contrast with reality, such as Díaz-Canel's thanks to Laos for its contribution to rice production, when the national harvest barely meets 20% of the demand.
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