- Celso Fantinel explained that the most smuggled items are potatoes, tomatoes, onions and peaches | Main photo: courtesy / reference
Celso Fantinel, president of the Confederation of Associations of Agricultural Producers (Fedeagro), warned on Friday, November 1, about an increase in the smuggling of fruits, vegetables and vegetables from countries in the region to Venezuela.
“When there is a relaxation on the part of the police authorities, it seems that smuggling increases, it has always been there, but it has been reduced,” said Fantinel in an interview for Union Radio.
According to the statements of the Fedeagro representative, tons of potatoes, tomatoes, onions, peaches and other vegetables and fruits from Colombia are currently entering the country.
In addition, he warned that other fruits and vegetables are smuggled into the country from Brazil, Peru and Ecuador, which directly affects the economy of agricultural populations such as Colonia Tovar, in Aragua; and El Jarillo, in Miranda.
Mode of operation for smuggling
The Fedeagro representative announced that the smuggling of vegetables and fruits occurs through the trails and, subsequently, the health guide systems for the transfer of these foods are violated.
“They steal information from other producers and print the guides. Experts have told us that these mafias operate from northern Mexico to northern Brazil,” Fantinel explained.
In his opinion, the increase in smuggling in this area responds to the fact that Colombia is in a more stable economic situation than Venezuela, added to the fact that taxes are lower and that they maintain inflation between 7 and 9%, after the pandemic.
Their conditions (Colombian farmers) for production and access to credit guarantee even an increase in the planting area. Currently, in Colombia 100 thousand hectares of potatoes are planted, while in Venezuela only 10 thousand,” added Fantinel.
He also highlighted that in coffee production, Colombia produces 10 times more than Venezuela; and the relationship between sugarcane production, the neighboring country does five times more. Fantinel clarified that corn is the only item in which both countries have simultaneous planting areas.
To help reduce the smuggling of vegetables and fruits, Fantinel suggested giving courses to State security officials to identify products that are foreign.
Fedeagro warned about fake products
Added to the smuggling problem, Fantinel denounced the presence of fake products such as seeds, biological material or agrochemicals in Venezuelan agriculture.
“When an agricultural product is too cheap, it is because it is something false,” he said.
Likewise, the representative of Fedeagro asked farmers not to buy agricultural material that is of dubious origin or whose price is below the standard.
2 thousand producers ceased their activities
In other recent statements by Fantinel, he highlighted that more than 2,000 farm workers have ceased their activities in the last four years.
“It’s not abnormal, but it’s not normal either. Maybe those lands are taken by other relatives or other farmers but that is not what we want. 80% of agriculture is family-owned, and it depends on legislating and supporting these producers. The remaining 20% produce more than that 80%,” he declared on October 27 in an interview for Union Radio.
Also highlighting the difficulties faced by the agricultural sector is the current gap between the official exchange rate, set by the Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV), and the parallel market dollar.
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#Fedeagro #warned #smuggling #fruits #vegetables #Venezuela
**Interview with Celso Fantinel, President of Fedeagro**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Celso. You recently spoke about the alarming rise in smuggling of fruits and vegetables into Venezuela. Can you provide some insight into which items are being smuggled the most?
**Celso Fantinel:** Thank you for having me. Yes, the most smuggled items currently include potatoes, tomatoes, onions, peaches, and a variety of other vegetables and fruits, primarily from Colombia, but also from Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador.
**Interviewer:** What do you think is driving this increase in smuggling?
**Celso Fantinel:** The main factor is the economic instability in Venezuela compared to Colombia, which has seen more stable conditions, lower taxes, and manageable inflation rates since the pandemic. This instability makes smuggling more attractive.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that the smuggling operations are sophisticated. How exactly do they manage to bring these goods across borders?
**Celso Fantinel:** These operations often use illegal trails and bypass health guide systems. There are instances where criminals steal information from legitimate producers to create fake transfer documents. This has been a longstanding issue, exacerbated when police enforcement relaxes.
**Interviewer:** What impact does this smuggling have on local agricultural communities in Venezuela?
**Celso Fantinel:** It severely affects local farmers, especially in regions like Colonia Tovar and El Jarillo, where locals rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. The influx of cheaper foreign products undercuts their prices and threatens their economic stability.
**Interviewer:** Given the current situation, what steps do you think could be taken to combat smuggling effectively?
**Celso Fantinel:** One suggested approach is to provide training for state security officials to help them better identify foreign products. Additionally, increasing local production capacity could also mitigate the impact of smuggling.
**Interviewer:** you mentioned the presence of counterfeit agricultural products. How significant is this issue, and how can farmers protect themselves?
**Celso Fantinel:** It is a grave concern. When farmers encounter products that are considered “too cheap,” they could be dealing with counterfeit seeds or chemicals. Education and awareness are key. Farmers need to be cautious and informed about the products they’re using to ensure their safety and the viability of their crops.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Celso, for sharing your insights on this pressing issue facing Venezuela’s agricultural sector. Your perspective is invaluable as we seek solutions to these challenges.
**Celso Fantinel:** Thank you for bringing attention to this matter. It’s crucial that we work towards solutions that support our local farmers and address the complexities of smuggling and counterfeit products.
