Peru: Floods cause blockages on the Central Highway and paralyze agricultural trade in Huánuco
Potato and vegetable producers face economic losses due to roadblocks.
The recent mudslides on the Central Highway have created difficulties for potato producers and traders in Huánuco . According to Miguel Carbajal, coordinator of the Puelles Wholesale Market Association, approximately 20% of the 250 tons shipped daily to Lima are lost due to transportation delays.
"Our products are arriving in Lima in 48 hours, when before they arrived in less than a day. This is detrimental to us because the product is no longer as fresh, and in Lima they need to see a fresh product to distribute," Carbajal explained.
Economic losses and falling prices
The economic losses resulting from these blockades amount to approximately 400,000 soles per day. Although potato prices have currently shown some recovery compared to January and February, when overproduction caused a drop in prices, road disruptions pose a threat to producers.
"If we average all the potato varieties we bring to Lima, the loss is close to half a million soles per day," Carbajal noted. Currently, the price of white and canchan potatoes has stabilized, with prices ranging between 50 and 90 cents at the farm gate, after having fallen drastically at the beginning of the year.
Although potato prices have shown some recovery, road disruptions pose a threat to producers. (Photo: Inforegión)Impact on vegetable producers
While potato traders suffer considerable losses, the hardest hit are vegetable producers, whose produce perishes completely when it doesn’t arrive at its destination on time. "For them, yes, when it comes to vegetables, fruits, and greens, their loss is 100% because vegetables can’t be in transport for more than eight or ten hours," Carbajal warned.
Delays on the Central Highway not only affect trade with Lima, but also shipments to the jungle, with destinations such as Tingo María , Pucallpa, and Tarapoto. In these cases, the products must be harvested on the same day they are shipped, so any disruption in transportation is devastating.
Carbajal emphasized the need for better management and planning of agricultural transportation to avoid these types of losses. He also urged authorities to take measures to improve road infrastructure and prevent prolonged road disruptions.
Meanwhile, producers and merchants continue to grapple with the economic consequences of the mudslides, awaiting solutions that guarantee the stability of their activities and the supply of fresh produce to the country’s markets.
Fuente:
