A video showcasing the artisanal method of salt harvesting in Ciego de Ávila has sparked a heated discussion on social media, highlighting one of the most frustrating paradoxes faced by Cubans: the shortage of salt on an island surrounded by sea.
Cuban content creator Thalia Moreno Izquierdo (@thalia.iz) shared images on Instagram depicting the age-old process of collecting salt in La Marcelina, a coastal area in the municipality of Bolivia, Ciego de Ávila.
The footage captures the collection of salt crystals formed by the evaporation of seawater, utilizing the dry climate and low tide. This traditional method, devoid of machinery, relies on rudimentary techniques such as ox-drawn carts for transportation.
“Salt, Cuban style, on a small scale, without machinery or technology, from the hands of our parents and grandparents who keep the tradition alive through the years,” explained the young creator when introducing the video.
The process involves using the sun and wind to evaporate water from natural salt flats near the coast. Once the salt has crystallized, it is gathered, dried, and ground for use.
The post garnered over 8,000 likes and received hundreds of comments, with many focusing not on the tradition itself but on the widespread scarcity affecting Cuban households.
“Watching this while having no salt at home,” one user remarked.
Another commenter was more direct: “What salt? In Cuba, an island surrounded by saltwater, there is no salt.”
The irony was not lost on others: “The height of absurdity—a sea-encircled island with no salt, forcing you to go to the sea with an ox cart […] to collect a bit of salt mixed with sand.”
This contradiction has recent precedents. In March 2025, nearly half a million residents in Artemisa went three months without receiving salt through the government ration book.
Months earlier, Geominsal authorities had admitted that “tens of thousands of tons” of salt were in storage, but transportation issues prevented distribution to local stores.
As late as May 2026, the Ministry of the Interior reported the confiscation of over 1,400 illegal packages of salt from a small business in Pinar del Río, allegedly purchased for resale, according to official reports.
Thus, what was intended to showcase a cherished heritage inadvertently reignited a persistent question among Cubans: How can there be a salt shortage in a country entirely surrounded by seawater?
The Salt Scarcity Paradox in Cuba
Why is there a salt shortage in Cuba?
Despite being surrounded by water, Cuba faces a salt shortage due to logistical and transportation issues, along with inefficient production and distribution systems.
What traditional methods are used to harvest salt in Cuba?
In Cuba, salt is traditionally harvested by utilizing natural evaporation in salt flats, using the sun and wind, and collected manually without modern machinery, often relying on ox carts for transport.
How does the salt shortage impact Cuban households?
The salt shortage significantly affects Cuban households as it is a staple ingredient, leading to rationing and difficulty in obtaining it through official channels.