A TikTok trend has sparked a cucumber craze in Iceland, leading to an unexpected shortage of the vegetable across the country, according to an article published by Deutsche Welle, a German public, state-owned international broadcaster.
The frenzy began with Canadian influencer Logan Moffitt, known to his six million followers as the ‘Cucumber Guy,’ who has been posting a series of cucumber-based salad recipes that have taken the platform by storm.
@logagmCucumber haul!♬ original sound – Logan
Moffitt’s recipes, including a popular mix of cucumber, smoked salmon, cream cheese, and a variety of other flavourful ingredients, have been viewed millions of times. His videos have not only captivated audiences but also led to a surge in demand for cucumbers, especially in Iceland, where local influencers began sharing the recipes in early August.
@logagmNew cucumber recipe 👀♬ original sound – Logan
@logagmNew cucumber recipe alert 🚨♬ original sound – Logan
@logagmTruly the best cucumber recipe♬ original sound – Logan
Iceland, a nation of nearly 400,000 people, consumes around 15 cucumbers per person annually. The country’s farmers typically produce about six million cucumbers each year, but the sudden spike in popularity has left supermarket shelves empty. To meet the demand, Iceland has had to import cucumbers from the Netherlands, as local supplies have run out.
The trend has not only affected cucumber availability but also other ingredients featured in Moffitt’s recipes, such as sesame oil, rice vinegar, and chilli oil, which are also in short supply.
While it’s rare for an online trend to have such a significant impact on a nation’s food supply, this isn’t the first time social media has caused a real-world rush on certain foods. Similar incidents have occurred, including a New York bakery overwhelmed by the demand for colourfully decorated croissants and a Swiss influencer’s kebab giveaway that led to police intervention.
Despite the temporary cucumber shortage, Icelandic officials are not overly concerned. They expect supplies to return to normal within a week or so, as the online hype likely fades. Meanwhile, Moffitt continues to experiment with new cucumber salad variations, keeping his followers eager for the next viral recipe.
ALSO SEE: What you need to know before drinking baking soda water: TikTok’s latest health trend
What you need to know before drinking baking soda water: TikTok’s latest health trend
Feature image: Instagram/ logansfewd
