The Impact of the TikTok Viral Cucumber Salad Trend on Iceland’s Supply of Cucumbers

According to reports, Iceland is experiencing a food shortage due to TikTok’s viral cucumber salad trend.

Logan, also known as logagm, gained viral fame in early August as the ‘Cucumber Guy’ due to his popular cucumber salad recipes.

The foodie takes a whole cucumber and slices it into a bowl before adding different ingredients, causing everyone else to hurry to the supermarket to make their own version.

@logagm
Truly the best cucumber recipe

♬ original sound – Logan

Despite their efforts, TikTokers in Iceland have encountered a dilemma as they flooded their grocery stores in an attempt to obtain the crispy vegetable. According to Daniel Sigthorsson, who was interviewed by the New York Times, he was unable to find any cucumbers.

“I found it strange,”he remarked. “It’s one of the things that Iceland always has in abundance. But then I came across the news.”

According to Icelandic News, Kronan, one of the largest grocery stores in the country, has also noticed a surge in people struggling to find cucumbers. In a statement, the store confirmed that there has been a 200% increase in demand for ingredients needed to make the popular recipe.

@logagm
Best way to eat an entire cucumber

♬ original sound – Logan

The demand for sesame oil, rice vinegar, and fish sauce has increased, causing some stores to run out of sesame oil due to their popularity as ingredients in various viral recipes.

According to Kristín Linda Sveinsdóttir, the marketing director for Iceland’s Horticulturists’ Sales Company, BBC News reports that the company is determined to restore their supply to normal levels as soon as possible. In addition, they mentioned that had the trend started earlier in 2024, the country would not currently be facing such a severe supply issue.

The impact of the viral cucumber trend is not limited to just grocery stores. On August 20, TikToker bechardgrave cautioned about the risks of slicing cucumbers after she injured her hand using a mandolin and had to be hospitalized.