A Cuban woman identified as @anita.cubanita64 went viral on TikTok again after showing how she prepares shrimp for the first time at her home on the island, a dish that many referred to as "rich people's food" amid the scarcity and high cost of food in Cuba.
“Doing this in Cuba is only for people who are millionaires or work for the government, or well, you probably have some relative in the United States who sends you money or who is sending it to you. I can assure you that 90% of Cubans have never eaten this,” the young woman said in her video, as she showed the shrimp she was going to cook.
She herself clarified that she does not belong to any of those privileged groups: “No, my love, I don’t work for the government, I don’t have family abroad, and I’m not a millionaire; it’s just that a friend wanted to please me today and sent me this small package of shrimp. It’s the first time I’m cooking it at home.”
During the recording, he explained that he decided to prepare them “like a little sauce, something spicy, because that's how they told me to do it.” He added, “I added sugar, which you know is essential, and that's how they turned out. In the end, I was given this pizza, so that's what I used to eat them.”
The video, which has garnered thousands of views, sparked an intense debate among users. Some congratulated her and offered cooking tips—“first, drain them well, sauté them in butter if you have it, and once they start to get golden, add the seasonings,” “make them with cream and top them with cheese; they’re super delicious”—while others criticized her for details such as her utensils or her manicure. One user even asked her why she had "rusty knives but perfectly manicured nails," to which others replied that manicures are affordable on the island and that the young woman works in beauty salons.
Amid the comments, many were surprised by the price of the product. In response to the question of how much the shrimp cost, @anita.cubanita64 replied, “A kilogram about 4,000.” This figure, equivalent to several days' worth of state wages, explains the perception that cooking seafood in Cuba is now a luxury.
The publication not only brought everyday inequalities to the forefront but also highlighted a recurring paradox on the island: living surrounded by the sea yet being unable to access the food it provides. In a previous video, another creator explained that “in Cuba it is prohibited to eat lobster” and that “we are also prohibited from buying and selling lobster and shrimp.” She recounted that these products can only be found in state-authorized establishments or tourist hotels: “We live in Cuba, on an island surrounded by water, but no, we cannot eat lobster, we cannot eat shrimp.” “Of course, my love, this is not food we eat every day because it's totally a luxury,” she stated in her video, clarifying that lobster is an unattainable product for most Cubans due to export restrictions and its prohibitive price.
Government control over fishing and export has made products like lobster and shrimp unattainable for the average citizen. While authorities blame climate change for the decrease in catches, a considerable portion of production is allocated for export. Meanwhile, ordinary Cubans can only see these foods on hotel menus or in videos like the one by @anita.cubanita64, which turn them into an occasional luxury. In another of her testimonials, the TikToker lamented: “We live on an island surrounded by water, but no, we cannot eat lobster, we cannot eat shrimp,” as she explained in another viral video.
It is not the first time the young woman has highlighted the food crisis that the country is experiencing. In another one of her videos, she lamented that “the majority of people do not have a single loaf of bread for breakfast” and explained that a bag of bread can cost up to 700 Cuban pesos, while the ration book only allows for one loaf to be purchased daily per person. “People who live on a salary cannot afford to buy a bag of bread every day, because if not, it won't be enough for anything,” she stated at that time.
In another post, she showcased how she prepared a fried rice dish that she called her “millionaire meal.” “I am not a millionaire nor do I have family abroad; we simply like to have a meal that is a bit out of the ordinary once a month,” she explained. The dish included ingredients that are not commonly found in Cuban kitchens: bacon, sausages, eggs, and vegetables, as she described in one of her most discussed posts.
Cases like these have sparked similar debates on social media. A young Cuban woman shared, a few months ago, what she described as a "rich people's breakfast": sliced bread, avocado, and onion, a combination that cost almost a third of the state's monthly salary, according to another viral video that highlighted inflation and food insecurity on the island. In another instance, a woman cooked lobster at home after her husband received it as a work gift, which many described as "a stroke of luck" given the difficulty of purchasing that product.
These stories have become common on TikTok, where dozens of Cubans showcase their daily lives and reveal the contrast between the abundance that is exported and the scarcity experienced within the country. Eating bread, eggs, meat, or seafood is increasingly difficult, and the prices, effectively dollarized, mean that most people can barely afford the basics.
In that context, the video of @anita.cubanita64 cooking shrimp has resonated as a window into the reality of millions of Cubans. Her phrase, “Doing this in Cuba is for millionaires,” has become a reflection of an uncomfortable truth: on the island, even the food provided by the sea has become a luxury.
Frequently Asked Questions about Food Scarcity in Cuba
Why are shrimp considered a luxury in Cuba?
Shrimp are considered a luxury in Cuba due to their high cost and government restrictions on their purchase and sale. According to a content creator's testimony, a kilogram can cost around 4,000 Cuban pesos, which is equivalent to several days' worth of state salary. Other seafood, such as lobster, is controlled by the government, limiting its availability for the average citizen.
What is the daily food situation in Cuba?
In Cuba, daily nutrition is characterized by scarcity and high food prices. Many people can only access basic products through the ration book, which limits the amount available per person. Common ingredients like bread, oil, or rice are considered a luxury for many, and access to a varied and nutritious diet is limited, forcing families to adopt less healthy alternatives.
Why can't seafood be easily consumed in Cuba?
The consumption of seafood in Cuba is restricted by government regulations. The purchase and sale of products such as lobster are prohibited for ordinary citizens and are only allowed in establishments with state permission or in tourist hotels. The government prioritizes the export of these products to obtain foreign currency, which limits their availability in the local market.
Filed under:
