The minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP), fernando mattosannounced that in the coming weeks there will be shortages of fruits such as pears and apples, while the effects of the historic drought on the country’s farm production.
During his speech at the annual meeting of the Society for Agrarian Promotion and Defensewhich brings together fruit and vegetable and animal producers, Mattos once again referred to the complex situation that the sector has been going through since the end of last year, as a result of the water deficit.
“It is a difficult situation. This very important drought has overlapped with the effects of the pandemic. They are sanitary and climatic effects that have hit the farm hard,” said the head of the MGAP, reported Telemundo.
The minister also stated that, given the situation that farm production in Uruguay is going through, there will be a shortage of apples and pears. The government is already analyzing what policies will be carried out to supply the domestic market, he confirmed.
“Surely we will have shortages later in the year in terms of some fruits. Will have to watch responsibly how can we balance the internal sourcing aspect, and protect the producerMattos said.
Throughout the last few months, various fruit and vegetable products saw a rise in their consumer prices precisely because of the low supply as a result of the drought.
The importation of some foods, such as potatoes and carrots, was authorized by the Executive to keep retail prices stable.
The MGAP minister also pointed out that Uruguay must find new options for water supply. “We must face, on the part of the government, aspects of a more ambitious strategy for the accumulation of water and irrigation, and new sources, which can be new reservoirs or like what is being studied for water in the metropolitan area, which is the neptune project“, said.
Source: Ambito
