A Cuban woman residing on the island, known on TikTok as Izzy (@izzys33), has taken to social media to expose the severe food crisis in Cuba. In her video, she highlights the disappearance of rice from Cuban tables, noting that locals are now resorting to low-quality pizza and increasingly expensive spaghetti as dietary staples. "Cubans used to criticize Italian culture for eating too much pasta and pizza, worrying about high blood pressure. But now, Cuba has become like Italy. There's no rice here, and people line up at shabby pizzerias as early as six in the morning, where cockroaches roam, just to buy a pizza with weevils for breakfast," she lamented.
Izzy sarcastically addressed the official propaganda claiming that Cuba offers a diverse diet. "The media here insists there are varied Cuban recipes. Where are these recipes when our main dish, rice, is nowhere to be found?" she questioned. "The main course for Cubans now is pizza with weevils and spaghetti for lunch and dinner," she added in her video, which also criticized the uncontrolled rise in prices. "Spaghetti used to be 2.70, now it's 2.80, and soon it'll be over three because that's how it is, price inflation is outrageous," she explained.
She also pointed out the scarcity of pork, stating its price has become unaffordable for most. "Where's the pork? It's over 600 pesos per pound, making it a luxury for any Cuban to eat a steak," she asserted.
Finally, Izzy drew a stark comparison with other countries. "We've been denigrating other cultures, and now we're worse off than anyone. Even in Haiti, they eat better than we do," she claimed.
Alarming Food Crisis in Cuba
Izzy's statements shed light on the worsening food situation in Cuba, where basic items have reached exorbitant prices, and staples have vanished from state markets. In recent months, rice prices have surged dramatically, forcing many families to turn to more expensive, lower-quality alternatives.
This isn't the first time Izzy has spoken out about the island's crisis. In December 2024, she expressed sorrow over the lack of basic goods and wished she had been born in Europe. Earlier this year in January, she vented her frustration at not being able to eat beef, and recently, she demonstrated the hardships of cooking during power outages, using an alcohol stove to make an omelet.
The ongoing supply crisis and rising costs have left the Cuban populace in increasingly dire straits, with limited options and no apparent solution in sight.
Cuban Food Crisis: Common Questions and Concerns
Why is there a food shortage in Cuba?
Cuba is experiencing a food shortage due to a combination of factors, including economic mismanagement, a lack of foreign exchange to import food, and the impact of U.S. sanctions. These issues have disrupted the supply chain, leading to scarcities and inflated prices for basic goods.
What are the main foods currently available in Cuba?
Currently, many Cubans are relying on pizza and spaghetti as staple foods, as traditional staples like rice have become scarce. However, even these options are of poor quality and are becoming increasingly expensive.
How are Cubans coping with the food crisis?
Cubans are coping with the food crisis by waiting in long lines for limited supplies, resorting to alternative cooking methods during power outages, and relying on remittances from family abroad when possible. Many are also voicing their frustrations on social media.