Veracruz Dairy Farmers Protest Up to Four Weeks of Unpaid Liconsa Dues
Dairy farmers from several parts of Veracruz publicly demonstrated over unpaid deliveries to Liconsa, the federal programme operating under the Leche para el Bienestar framework. The protesters supply milk to the state’s collection centres and said that payments owed to them had accumulated for as many as four consecutive weeks.
The affected producers said the interruption had reduced the cash available for routine operations on family-run farms. They reported difficulties purchasing fodder, silage, concentrated feed, mineral supplements and veterinary medicines. The payment delays have also complicated wage payments for rural workers and basic household expenses.
According to the farmers, some have taken on debt with commercial suppliers or obtained informal loans carrying high interest in order to continue feeding their herds. The producers described the situation as a severe financial constraint on small and medium-sized livestock operations that depend on regular settlements for their working capital.
Veracruz’s dairy production is largely based on dual-purpose cattle and grazing in a tropical climate. Farmers said the lack of funds was occurring alongside seasonal difficulties involving pasture management and heat stress. Some producers have reportedly redirected part of their milk to local intermediaries or small cheese-makers in order to obtain immediate cash, accepting lower prices for raw milk than those associated with the federal Price Guarantee scheme.
Representatives of the livestock sector also contrasted the delayed payments with the requirements imposed on suppliers. Farmers must meet specified physicochemical and hygiene standards and maintain the cold chain before milk can enter receiving tanks. They said the difference between those requirements and the pace of administrative settlements was creating uncertainty for producers participating in the formal dairy market.
The protesters called on the central offices of Segalmex and Leche para el Bienestar to release the outstanding funds and introduce a reliable weekly payment schedule. They said that, if deposits were not restored in the following days, they could intensify demonstrations on roads and outside administrative offices. The farmers also warned that some dairies might have to sell productive cows for meat in order to settle operating debts.
