Bolivia's butchers strike in protest at soaring meat prices

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STORY: :: Bolivian butchers march in the capital to protest against rising meat prices

:: Some blame excessive exports for limiting local supplies

:: November 20, 2024

:: La Paz, Bolivia

:: Jorge Silva, Deputy Minister of User and Consumer Rights Defense

“The government’s policy is to export. If we don’t export, we don’t get foreign currencies. If we don’t get currencies, we can’t import. That's why the president said we must boost production to meet the demand and generate a surplus which can be exported. But if production doesn’t satisfy the demand, of course, exports must be cut.”

Union members from Contracabol visited markets to pressure butchers to close their shops in solidarity with the strike. Many businesses displayed signs protesting the rising costs impacting basic household goods.

Protesters accused ranchers of inflating cattle prices and blamed meat exports for reducing domestic supply.

The government and Santa Cruz’s ranchers’ federation have called Contracabol to a dialogue on Thursday in an attempt to end the strike, local media reported.

Bolivia's economy has been struggling, with its foreign reserves nearly depleted and many people unable to get dollars.