The lack of supply worsens in public markets and in companies

The Highlands Producers Community Association expressed concern about the current situation in the region. What were initially peaceful closures against the mining contract have led to a struggle of political and social interests, and the situation, according to the Association, distances the conflict from civility and threatens legal and food sovereignty.

The situation worsens as protesters block access to farms, leading to irreparable loss of crops. This puts production capacity at serious risk, as if access is not allowed to tend to the crops, up to four months of production could be lost, they warn.

The association urgently calls on the protesters to reconsider their position and immediately provide access to the farms. They warn that, if urgent measures are not taken, a food and social crisis will occur in the region.

On the other hand, fresh products are becoming rare in the province of Herrera, especially those from the Chiriquí highlands. Lettuce, cabbage, celery and beetroot are some of the products that have become rare in supermarkets and on sales stands in Merca Chitré. Although products such as cucumbers, tomatoes and bananas can still be found, the prices of some products are already showing a noticeable increase, such as potatoes, tomatoes and onions, which are the most sought after among consumers.

“The local and competent authorities have already been asked to open the roads, but the answer was that they do not have the necessary manpower and equipment to clean the roads. We are making this public complaint as an apolitical, responsible and active community organization with more than 25 years in the sector,” the details state. group statements.

Authorities yesterday announced deals to allow some of the agricultural production stuck in the country’s west to reach national markets, which are already short of supplies after more than a week of protests against the controversial renewal of an open-pit copper mine concession. the largest in Central America.

The government of President Laurentino Cortiz said the leaders of the groups holding blockades in Chiriquí, Panama’s largest producer of vegetables, tubers and legumes, had agreed after dialogue to “partially” open at least two points in that province to allow “the transport of agricultural products to various parts of the country.”

In a statement, the executive said that the producers of the Chiriquí Highlands “reported the losses of their crops due to the inability to transfer their products to the national markets due to the blockades.”

For his part, the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Panama (Cciap), Adolfo Fábrega, expressed concern about the negative impact that the protests and street closures had on the country’s commercial sector.

Fábrega pointed out that roadblocks have a drastic and significant effect on the company’s supply logistics. He said the situation had worsened since last week, with reports of businesses affected by vandalism and looting, mostly small businesses, sole traders and entrepreneurs.

The president of CCIAP called for the understanding that citizens must meet their basic needs and advocated for an agreement to be reached that would enable the abolition of street blockades.

Fábrega reported that as a union they are providing support to the affected businessmen, although they have not yet been able to quantify the economic losses that have occurred in recent days.