According to Jorge Calderon, the head of the Potato Program of the Ministry of Rural Development and Land, Bolivia usually produces 180,900 tons of potatoes for the winter season per year; however, the country only harvested 60 to 70 thousand tons this season.
This decrease in production was mainly due to the frost that affected the valleys of Cochabamba, Cruz, and Chuquisaqueños, which are the main producers of potatoes in the winter season. In addition, many producers decided not to sow because of the overproduction there was in the past campaign. Back then, an arroba of potatoes (around 25 pounds) was quoted in 15 Bolivians; currently, it is paid at 70 to 80 Bolivians (i.e. five times more than last year).
The country produces 1,179,000 tons of potatoes per year and has a per capita consumption of 100 kilos per year, which means there is a deficit of 40,000 to 35,000 tons which are usually imported from Peru and Argentina.
However, this year, according to merchants, borders are controlled and the smuggling of potatoes is not allowed.
Since the winter production decreased from 180 thousand tons to 70 thousand, the price of this product has skyrocketed.
Another cause for the decrease in sowing in winter is the lack of water for irrigation. The Government aims to increase potato production in winter.
Cochabamba is the first potato seed producer and the second-biggest producer of potatoes for human consumption.
This year, the Ministry of Rural Development has registered the native Sali Villanueva variety and in the coming weeks it will register the Puka Sacambaya variety (from the south of Oruro and north of Potosi). The Luki variety, which is used to produce chuño (a traditional freeze-dried potato product from the region), is also a native variety.
