Food balance under peril! | ¡Balance alimentario en peligro!

By Brújula Digital, Eju.tv:

Fundación Milenio: The food balance in Bolivia faces serious challenges

The figures reflect a complex scenario: adverse climatic conditions, exchange rate instability, and growing urbanization have negatively impacted agricultural production, hindering sustained growth and increasing vulnerabilities in food security.

Fundación Milenio: El balance alimentario en Bolivia enfrenta serios desafíos Thomas Park/Unsplash

The food balance in Bolivia faces serious challenges due to multiple factors that are placing considerable pressure on the system.

In this context, food imports have continued to increase, even with the economic challenges of 2023. Dependence on imported food products remains high, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen national production and reduce vulnerability to external factors.

According to a study by Fundación Milenio, in a macroeconomic environment characterized by uncertainty and the increase in food imports, high dependence on imported products becomes a significant risk to the population’s food security.

Although oilseed exports, especially soybeans, have been a crucial source of foreign exchange, 2023 saw a notable drop in production, attributed to the stabilization of international prices and reduced crop yields.

While sunflower production remains positive due to growing industrial demand, the overall situation of agri-food chains calls for urgent modernization through biotechnology to improve agricultural productivity.

The livestock sector shows signs of growth, driven by the opening of new markets in Asia and Africa. In 2022, Bolivia had more than 10.7 million head of cattle, marking a 3.4% growth compared to the previous year. On the other hand, the sugar-alcohol chain faces uncertainties, with a mismatch between the supply and demand for biofuels, affecting investment in crops for this purpose.

The Milenio report notes that, in terms of crops, there was a 30% decrease in cereal volumes, with sorghum and corn being the most affected. Banana production has begun to recover after a period of crisis, although the lack of payments from Argentine importers has limited its growth.

The figures reflect a complex scenario: adverse climatic conditions, exchange rate instability, and growing urbanization have negatively impacted agricultural production, hindering sustained growth and increasing vulnerabilities in food security.

BD/RED

Leave a comment