Bolivia is Heading Toward Food Imports | Bolivia se encamina a la importación de alimentos

By El Diario:

Agricultural Producers Warn

Floods and Flash Floods, Additional Problems Adding to the Agricultural Sector’s Challenges. PHOTO: CANAL RURAL

Due to the impact of climate-related issues, public policies, and an economic situation marked by a shortage of dollars and fuel supply failures, the vice president of the Eastern Agricultural Chamber (CAO), Yamil Nacif, stated that if urgent measures are not taken, Bolivia is on a path toward food imports.

Nacif warned that if the government does not implement corrective measures to support and encourage the productive sector, the future of this industry could be catastrophic—meaning Bolivia could become dependent on imports, a situation that could have significant economic and social consequences.

“This is what we don’t want—from being a milk-producing country to having to import it because there are no conditions to sustain the business,” the executive explained in an interview with Canal Rural.

The leader emphasized that the state is not providing the necessary conditions for producers to continue working profitably. “It is very difficult, very difficult with these policies that are not opening up to the productive system,” Nacif stated.

The productive sector has been calling for the reactivation of soybean and beef exports, which are crucial for bringing in foreign currency to the country.

Additionally, the leader explained that the food production chain relies on its primary link: the producers, who generate milk, meat, and grains. Without these products, there is no transportation, no processing industry, and no merchants offering goods in the markets.

“If we do not ensure that this chain grows instead of shrinking, as it has in recent years, the final product will always be more expensive,” the executive stressed, adding that if there is nothing to offer, “it will have to be replaced with imports or smuggling.”

The vice president of the CAO also pointed out the challenges faced by producers, who are struggling with high production costs, a shortage of foreign currency, and transportation issues, further driving up expenses. (Santa Cruz, Canal Rural)

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