A Cuban resident on the island documented her purchase of basic food items on TikTok on August 31, itemizing the cost of a basket that exceeded 15,780 Cuban pesos —more than double the average monthly state salary— which sparked comments summarizing the crisis: "You over there are a millionaire."
The creator, who publishes under the username @anaisy_vlogs_shop, explained from the beginning the purpose of the video: "I live in Cuba and I’m going to show you the little things I bought today. As you know, I frequently make these videos because prices here in Cuba vary quite a bit."
The breakdown is striking: three pounds of beans at 350 pesos each totaled 1,050 pesos; ten pounds of rice, divided into two bags, cost 3,500 pesos; two bags of coffee —which the creator admitted to having never tried before— came to 1,800 pesos; a can of condensed milk was 800 pesos.
The list goes on: five soaps at 260 pesos each (1,300 pesos in total), four apple juices at 350 pesos each (1,400 pesos), five pounds of sugar at 450 pesos per pound (2,250 pesos), two repackaged chicken picadillos at 540 pesos each (1,080 pesos), and two factory-made picadillos at 800 pesos each (1,600 pesos).
At the informal black market exchange rate— which closed that same day at 678 pesos per dollar— the purchase amounts to about 23 dollars.
Shopping videos have become a viral genre on TikTok that serves as a social thermometer for the crisis. The phrase "you there are a millionaire" —addressed to those living abroad who send remittances converted at the informal exchange rate— encapsulates the gap between the diaspora and those surviving on state salaries on the island. That same day, a Cuban doctor showcased a basic grocery purchase that exceeded 40,400 pesos.
"As I mentioned, prices are going up day by day. Today, these are the prices; today is August 31," concluded the creator, inviting her followers to share their thoughts in the comments.
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