Dairy farmers and farmers continue to alleviate labor shortages and say this could affect prices for dairy, beef, perishables and even coffee. Migration is forcing them to make use of technology and purchase more inputs to cover the lack of workers.
In cattle-raising areas such as the municipality of El Ayote, on the South Caribbean Coast, some milk and meat producers consulted indicate that they have tried to maintain the prices of these foods. However, the purchase of chemicals for the grass, motorcycle pumps and gasoline, which are some of the instruments they use to advance with fewer workers, raises production costs and this burden could be transferred to the final consumer in the short term.
Related news: Cabbage exceeds 100 córdobas and cheese could go up in price this week, in Nicaragua
«Of the four workers we had, now we only have one left, because they all left» indicates a farmer consulted. He points out that the few men who remain and were dedicated to farm work now live on remittances, which is why they abandoned their jobs on the farms.
«I believe that remittances are a good business for the government, but the consequences are paid by those of us who remain… Inputs are becoming more and more expensive», says the farmer. He adds that fear is not only suffered by this sector. Coffee growers also fear that they do not have the necessary human resources for the coffee harvest season.
Lack of rain, another factor for the rise in perishables and dairy products
The lack of rain in some productive areas of the country adds to the possibility of losing the harvest. Some farmers shared with this medium that they chose not to risk their capital in the planting of perishables. Hence the shortage and high prices of vegetables such as cabbage, whose value exceeds 100 córdobas in various parts of the country.
However, they point out that to date the prices of meat and dairy products remain the same. «This week the price of cheese had to drop because the intermediaries paid us 30 córdobas per pound of cheese and the price was maintained in the markets»highlighted a producer.
