Chicken crisis in Bolivia: low prices in Santa Cruz and shortages in La Paz
Bolivia is currently experiencing an unusual economic situation due to the road blockades affecting the country. The price of chicken meat has changed drastically in different regions, creating a sharp contrast between eastern and western Bolivia. This situation affects both poultry producers and end consumers.
In Santa Cruz, the country's main production hub, there is an overproduction of chicken meat. Since trucks cannot leave the city due to blockades on the main routes, producers have an excess of inventory. For this reason, they are offering the product at clearance prices to prevent the meat from going to waste.
On the contrary, the situation in La Paz is very different and worrying for families. Due to the lack of transport from production areas, chicken is becoming increasingly scarce in local markets. This lack of supply has caused the price per kilo to skyrocket, reaching up to 35 bolivianos at some points of sale.
The poultry sector has reported that this logistical crisis prevents the normal shipment of food to the west of the country. Producers warn that if the blockades continue, economic losses will be in the millions. Furthermore, the welfare of birds on farms is also at risk due to the lack of supplies and space.
Finally, citizens hope that the authorities find a quick solution to normalize traffic on the highways. Meanwhile, the inhabitants of La Paz must look for alternatives for their daily food, while in Santa Cruz, farmers try to sell their products as quickly as possible to minimize economic damage.