Venezuela potato farmers stalled
The USDA says potato demand is growing quickly in Venezuela due an expanding fast food industry that includes popular international chains like McDonalds and Burger King. Potato farmers are struggling to meet the demands of the contracts they have with these franchises. More than 100 McDonalds restaurants in Venezuela ran out of potatoes in January.
“I now choose other fast food brands, as French fries is the most attractive food at McDonald’s,” said Jose Salazar a local in Caracas.
Aldemaro Ortega, Director of the Venezuelan Production Association said many potato producers have signed supply contracts for 2015 with purchasers and will be allowed to sign more contracts for the year after the government grants their requests to import relevant supplies that will allow farmers to do their jobs and grow potatoes to meet growing demand.
Critics say Venezuela’s multi-tiered exchange rate system also causes disillusion among local farmers when it comes to the domestic production system that is in place.
Source: cctv-america.com
