Producers reject government diesel price, demand open fuel market

Agricultural producers in Bolivia are strongly opposing the government's newly established diesel price of 18 Bolivianos per liter for large consumers. They contend that this price point exacerbates existing speculation within the market and does not offer a viable solution to the persistent fuel supply crisis that has plagued the country for months.

The producers' association argues that the government's measures are inadequate and are deepening the crisis rather than resolving it. They are demanding that the fuel market be opened to private companies to ensure a more stable and reliable supply, which they believe is crucial for the agricultural sector's operations.

Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales Bolivianos (YPFB), the state oil company, has attributed the recent fuel shortages and distribution problems to logistical challenges and transportation bottlenecks. However, producers remain skeptical, viewing the government's fixed price as a contributing factor to the ongoing difficulties and calling for a more open and competitive market.