The production of foods fell 82,3% from 2007 to the first semester of 2019, according to the Venezuelan Central Bank (BCV). CAVIDEA claims that from June 2018 to June 2019 the consumption of foods, alcoholic beverages and tobacco products dropped by 68%, a stat that applies to 98 categories of products.

Caracas – Five years into economic recession, the effects are lethal to the industry and people of Venezuela. Today, the industrial sector operates at 20% of its installed capacity. The factories are oversized compared to current demands, according to the venezuelan confederation of industry (CONINDUSTRIA). The market keeps on shrinking, facing an impoverished that no longer has financial independence to purchase goods and services of their preference. Products remain for days in shelves, despite the fact that some products are now presented in smaller packaging so that consumers are better able to take them home. From 2012 to 2019, consumption has shrunk by 50%, according to the BCV.

  • On average, venezuelans purchase 4 products, down from 15 products, according to stats by the National Association of Supermarkets and retail (ANSA), presented at the Fedecamaras Annual Assembly.
  • The restocking cycle of goods lasted about 24 hours, nowadays it has extended to 5 days approximately, according to ANSA.
  • Manufacturing of foods fell by 82.3% since 2007 up to the first semester of 2019, data published on the BCV website reveals.
  • CAVIDEA claims that from June 2018 to June 2019 the consumption of foods, alcoholic beverages and tobacco products dropped by 68%, a stat that applies to 98 categories of products.
  • Within a year (June 2018 to June 2019), consumption of the following products shrank as follows: Cereals 57%, ketchup 57%, precooked cornmeal 48%, wheat 31%, pasta 23%, oats 84%, canned tuna 70%, sugar 22%, mayonnaise 33%, sardines 28%, dairy 68%, sports drinks, sodas and other sweet drinks 96%.
  • The Bengoa foundation reveals that 80% of the population has difficulties securing goods from the basic food basket. Meanwhile, Cáritas Venezuela warns that, from January to March of this year, the quality of food has deteriorated massively.
  • A research study from Datanálisis claims that merely 30% of the population has the economic capacity to purchase massive consumption goods such as pasta, cereals, soft drinks, and others. 70% of the population increasingly reduces the number of these products they take home, or in some cases, have stopped purchasing them altogether.
  • A drop in consumption has brought as consequence activities such as pooling for purchases, substituting products with traditional alternatives and bartering.
  • The food industry currently produces 480,000 metric tonnes of food a month. In previous years, this number climbed up to 2 million tonnes, which is equivalent to a 76% drop.
  • Representatives of the industry claim that doing groceries is not a pleasant experience for venezuelans. People visit stores more often as they’re unable to acquire all goods they need in a single purchase. The minimum salary in Venezuela is equivalent to $6 USD, approximately.