Bolivia's Dairy Crisis: Hundreds of Dairies Close Due to Uncompetitive Prices

Bolivia's Dairy Crisis: Hundreds of Dairies Close Amidst Uncompetitive Prices SANTA CRUZ, BOLIVIA – The Bolivian dairy industry is facing a severe crisis, with the closure of nearly 100 dairies in Cochabamba and 80 in Santa Cruz. This alarming trend, reported by El Deber, is attributed to low profitability and uncompetitive milk prices. Yamil Nacif, vice president of the CAO, stated that "raw material costs exceed 120% of production costs." This has caused a significant decline in milk production and resulted in substantial job losses in the agricultural sector. The crisis highlights the economic challenges faced by the agricultural sector in Bolivia. The lack of competitiveness in milk prices is forcing many dairy farmers out of business. The consequences extend beyond the dairy industry, impacting related sectors and causing widespread unemployment. While the situation is dire, there is hope that addressing the underlying economic issues can help revitalize the industry and prevent further closures. Solutions may include government intervention to stabilize prices and support dairy farmers.