Peru: Agri sector loses up to $200,000 dollars daily due to transport strike

The closure of the border caused by the ongoing strike of international freight, which has lasted 13 days so far and was promoted by the Chilean side of the border, generates losses that range between $180,000 and $200,000 dollars a day for the importer and exporters of fruits and vegetables.

According to representatives of both sectors, the damage is greater if they take into account work force that has been unable to perform its duties and the amount of products stuck in warehouses that can' be delivered to their destinations.

Gudy Almonacid, representative of the Fruit Importers Guild, said there were nearly 52 trucks still standing at the border. Each truck has a 25-ton load valued at US $15,000.

Only 10 of these trucks loaded with apples, pears, and seasonal kiwis are going to supply the market of Tacna, while the other cargo is for importers of Cusco, Arequipa, Juliaca, and Trujillo. Losses for businessmen who have to look for other routes are obvious, as costs increase.

In turn, Jose Huanca, representative of the Agricultural Exporters, said the warehouses of some 18 exporters were stacked up with products, such as green beans, onion, ginger, root vegetables, sweet potatoes, cassava, lemons, and watermelons, which could not pass the border. These products would be valued at at least US $118,578.

In the fields, the situation is similar, as there are some 827 tons of products ready to be harvested and exported.

The parties affected will mobilize
Dozens of exporters and importers of fruit and vegetables will take the streets as they wait for Congress to find a solution to the problem created by the tallying fines, which generated the truck stop at the border. They expect the support of the Commerce Guild of Markets, restaurants and hotels, which have also been affected by a drop in the flow of tourists.

Source: larepublica.pe