Conaprole Reports Loss of 69,000 Kilos of Whey

The leading dairy cooperative in Uruguay, Conaprole, has reported a significant loss of 69,000 kilos of whey due to union activities that have disrupted its production process. The company blames these losses on recent "union measures" taken by the Asociación de Obreros y Empleados de Conaprole (AOEC), which have directly and adversely affected their value-added production.

This operational disruption is part of a broader industrial conflict that has persisted for several months. The union actions, including specific work refusals at critical times, prevented the timely processing of whey, a valuable by-product from cheese production. This whey is essential for producing high-value export products like whey powder.

Conaprole has voiced its concerns regarding the economic and reputational damage these union actions have caused, affecting international commercial commitments in a competitive market. Meanwhile, AOEC argues that their actions reflect dissatisfaction over stalled negotiations for a new collective agreement and perceived company retaliations, including the suspension of a worker. This deadlock highlights production chain vulnerabilities and signifies an urgent need for dialogue to resolve conflicts and restore stability in Uruguay's dairy industry.