Border closures and snow delays threaten meat supplies in Chile

Severe weather conditions in the Andes have left more than 3,000 trucks stranded at various border crossings, threatening meat supplies and prices in Chile ahead of the Fiestas Patrias celebrations. The delays, which have persisted for approximately 27 days, primarily affect shipments of meat products from Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil.

One of the most heavily impacted areas is the Pino Hachado international pass, where nearly 1,000 trucks are currently held up. The Confederation of Camioneros Centro-Sur warned that if the shortage of imported meat continues, demand will shift to the domestic market, likely driving up local prices.

Reopening the routes depends on clearing snow and ice on both the Chilean and Argentine sides. Authorities in Las Lajas are managing a staggered release of vehicles to ensure safety, but heavy snow remains a challenge. The situation has also taken a human toll, with two deaths reported among drivers during the standstill: one at the Jama pass and another at Pino Hachado.