Panama, Ethanol
Causes Food Price Hike
Panamanian farmers and
livestock producers
blame the use of corn to
produce ethanol for the
rise of prices of beef
and poultry in this
country, which is trying
to produce the
controversial biofuel.
President of the
National Poultry Farmers
Association, Luis Carlos
Castroverde, admitted
the rise in prices is
considerable, but noted
an increase in corn on
the local market, a main
source of food for
poultry and pigs.
Since the beginning of
the week there have been
complaints by housewives
due to the rise in
prices of basic
products, with beef and
poultry going up five
cents a pound.
"To avoid spending more
than you earn, be sure
to buy only what you
need and make a list
based on income and
obligations," advised
the government Consumer
Protection Authority's
Department of Education.
According to breeders,
the blame for the price
hike is the strong
demand for corn by
ethanol producers, but
recalled that Panama
needs seven million tons
of the grain to feed its
animals. |
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