Drastic pork shortage in Venezuela

There is a drastic shortage of pork in Venezuela. President Maduro had promised Venezuelans that there would be enough pork by Christmas, but that promise has not been fulfilled. The Venezuelans are therefore protesting en masse.

Christmas without pork is not Christmas for many Venezuelans. However, in the run-up to the holidays, supermarkets in the capital remained empty. Hundreds of residents of the capital Caracas are furious with the president and took to the streets the day after Christmas to express their dismay. There was also plenty of demonstrations on Wednesday 27 December. There is even talk of a 'pork revolution'.

Deep crisis and hyperinflation
According to Maduro, Venezuela had indeed bought pork, but the deliveries never arrived. The president defended himself on national television and said that Portugal has not delivered the orders. According to a government official, Portugal would have sabotaged things under pressure from the United States (US). The Portuguese Government denies this allegation.

Venezuela has been in a deep economic crisis for some time, resulting in hyperinflation and food shortages. According to Maduro, the opposition in the country and the US are to blame. The demonstrations about pork are the umpteenth in a short time. Venezuelans have been protesting for some time about high energy prices and fuel rations. There was a lot of looting during the demonstrations.

Wouter Job

Wouter Baan is editor-in-chief of Boerenbusiness. He also focuses on dairy, pig and meat markets. He also follows (business) developments within agribusiness and interviews CEOs and policymakers.

w.baan@boerenbusiness. Nl

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