Strikes Cause Million-Dollar Losses in Ecuador's Dairy Sector

Protests in Ecuador's Pichincha and Imbabura provinces have severely impacted the dairy sector, resulting in losses of approximately 2 million liters of milk and $660,000 in just ten days. These disruptions arose from blockades protesting the diesel subsidy removal, impeding milk collection and transportation. The Center of the Dairy Industry (CIL) highlights that around 3,000 small and medium producers have been affected, discarding between 12,000 and 15,000 liters of milk daily. The crisis jeopardizes food security, as milk requires cold chain logistics. Additionally, extortion incidents have been reported, with demonstrators demanding up to 50% of production for passage. In response, dairy associations have called for dialogue to restore stability.