Faced with the threat of merchants raising the cost of meat, the Government guarantees its supply at a fair price

After the Confederation of Bolivian Meat Workers (Contracabol) announced the increase in this food, the Government ruled out this measure and ensured the supply of this essential product to the public. Traders allege that the rise is necessary due to the increase in exports, which, according to them, leaves no product for the domestic market.

But this was rejected by the Government. This Monday the Minister of Productive Development and Plural Economy, Néstor Huanca, He said that external sales only represent 5.4% of the supply of meat throughout the country Y therefore, there is no technical justification for raising the cost to the domestic market.

He explained that there is a balance of 23,514 tons that should be exportable, always guaranteeing the supply of the internal market.

He added that, for this managementBolivia plans to export up to 16,000 tons of meat. “Therefore, it does not affect the domestic market,” insisted the authority.

In this context, he maintained that the Government guarantees the supply of beef and He asked the merchants to respect agreements to maintain their commercialization at a fair price.

“In the face of any price speculation, The Food Production Support Company (Emapa) is prepared to provide food at a fair price, since it has more than 69 branches at the national level,” he warned at a press conference.

He reaffirmed that there is no reason to justify the price increase announcements and asked the Bolivian population not to be surprised by these alerts of Contracabol.

Contracabol requested, through an official note, a meeting, but when they already communicated the alleged increase in beef prices. The letter makes it known that in a national expansion the price increase will be made official unilaterally to the final consumer, he informed.

“We are very concerned about this announcement and that is why I ask the Bolivian population not to be surprised, because the national government will guarantee the supply of this product at a fair price“, he claimed.

According to the Urgente.bo report, meat marketers agreed to raise the price of beef, chicken and pork, between Bs. 2 and Bs. 3, as of September 27 in Santa Cruz and from October throughout the country. One of the causes is the increase in costs on the part of the productive sector.

According to Jesus Uchani, president of the National Confederation of Bolivian Meat Workers, quoted by Urgente.bo, an expanded national level is planned to determine the price increase unilaterally to the final consumer in all departments.

According to a letter sent to the Minister of Productive Development and Plural Economy, Néstor Huanca, on behalf of the sector“the losses suffered by the marketer are no longer sustainable”.

The letter details that agreements were breached and there was negligence on the part of ministries. For example, explains that the export of meat continues without guarding the domestic market, in addition to bovine smuggling, pig due to “bad” border controls.