Venezuelan farmers face smuggling and economic crisis in El Jarillo

Brenda Ribeiro, a political leader from Vente Venezuela, met with agricultural producers in El Jarillo, Miranda state, to discuss the ongoing crisis facing the sector. Local farmers reported several systemic issues, including a lack of financing, deteriorating infrastructure, legal and personal insecurity, and payment delays from supermarket chains.

A major point of concern is the impact of smuggling from Colombia. Ribeiro noted that the illegal entry of goods, such as peaches, creates unfair competition because production costs in Venezuela are higher than in Colombia. This often forces local farmers to operate at a loss.

Additionally, the decline in consumer purchasing power has led to a reduction in the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Ribeiro highlighted that inflation and the rising value of the dollar have eroded real wages and government bonuses, making it difficult for citizens to afford basic food baskets.