A Cuban farmer named Felipe from Sibanicú, Camagüey, has unexpectedly become a social media star after growing a 21-pound sweet potato in his backyard.
In a video shared on Facebook, Felipe described how a small cutting given to him by a neighbor resulted in such an impressive harvest.
"Well, my friend, it was the neighbor from the corner who gave me a tiny sweet potato. I took the slip, planted it, and it just grew," Felipe explained on camera. According to him, it took about six to seven months for the sweet potato to reach that size.
The video, posted by Cuban musician and content creator Wilder el Supremo, garnered over 2,800 reactions and numerous comments that combined admiration, humor, and a touch of skepticism regarding the agricultural feat.
One of the most celebrated reactions humorously highlighted the island's food situation: "In Cuba, things grow better underground." Another, more lighthearted comment noted, "It's short of 20 pounds to catch up with the Goddess's papaya."
However, some self-proclaimed Cuban agricultural experts were critical. One commenter mentioned that sweet potatoes are typically harvested at four months, and leaving them in the ground longer makes them larger but reduces their nutritional value. Yet, they added, "Excellent harvest, you planted the bulb correctly. My respects to the comrade."
The video also showed that Felipe had another sweet potato patch growing in the same area where the giant one was harvested, suggesting that his success was no coincidence but rather the result of agricultural technique, well-cared-for soil, and perseverance.
Back in March 2021, a Cuban woman in Holguín harvested a 31-pound sweet potato measuring 98 centimeters, still the largest documented in Cuban media.
In February 2022, farmers in Matanzas produced giant sweet potatoes that ended up in local state markets.
Historically, sweet potatoes have been one of the cheapest staples in the Cuban diet. However, amid the inflation affecting the country in 2026, their price on the informal market ranges between 90 and 120 CUP per pound, according to early-year reports from Havana.
In this context, every bountiful harvest turns into news, a symbol, and a topic of conversation. In May 2026, researchers in Cienfuegos introduced new sweet potato clones with yields exceeding 25 tons per hectare. However, their impact on Cuban dining tables remains to be seen.
Understanding the Sweet Potato Phenomenon in Cuba
How did Felipe grow a 21-pound sweet potato?
Felipe grew the 21-pound sweet potato by planting a small cutting given to him by a neighbor. The sweet potato took six to seven months to achieve its size.
Why is the sweet potato significant in Cuba?
Sweet potatoes are historically one of the most affordable staples in the Cuban diet. Due to inflation, their price has increased significantly, making bountiful harvests noteworthy.
What challenges do Cuban farmers face when growing sweet potatoes?
Cuban farmers face challenges such as inflation, which affects the cost of agricultural inputs, and the need for effective farming techniques to produce high yields.