Free import of diesel only benefits a few companies; 80% of producers do not have dollars for the operation, says the CAO

The free import of fuel does not reach everyone. The Agricultural Chamber of the East (CAO) assured that only a few producers and companies have benefited from the measure; the business entity maintains that 80% of farmers do not have the dollars necessary to purchase diesel.

In the face of fuel shortages, due to falling production and the high cost of imports, The State gave the green light to the private sector so that entrepreneurs can import diesel, due to its lack in the domestic market.

To pave this way, The Government issued Supreme Decree 5218which streamlines the procedures so that private companies can directly import fuel for their use.

Currently, more than 50 companies engaged in agriculture, mining, construction, among others, are advancing in their procedures to begin the direct import of fuels, mainly diesel.

Consulted by a television media, the president of the Agricultural Chamber of the East (CAO) José Luis Farah explained that the entity brings together 70,000 producers but that, Of this total, only 20% benefit from this measure.

“The decree favors a few companies or a few producers. What we need is timely diesel for all Bolivian producers; the more than 70,000 that there are in Santa Cruz and throughout the country they need diesel at planting time, at harvest time,” he said.

He added that farmers with less than 100 hectares are the most affected by the fuel shortage and they are the ones who are standing in lines at the different service stations to buy the product and be able to work.

“That producer needs diesel at his service station, in the closest place to produce food. The Government must provide guarantees; It is YPFB that matters and that has to have the appropriate diesel so that we can continue producing food,” he said.