Venezuelan bakeries are reborn
2022.12.01 09:15
Venezuelan bakeries are reborn
Budrigannews.com – The veteran bakery of Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, prepares a variety of amazing dishes after long fights.
This is the latest evidence that a small economic growth in the country is leading to the revival of some family-owned small businesses.
In large Venezuelan cities, a large traditional bakery and dessert factory, which two years ago was very difficult to produce a variety of products due to a lack of components, now offers more and more bread. Local, European buffets, buns, bread loaves fill caves that used to be empty.
Now colorful cakes and cakes are appearing on the shelves, which were missing fruits, which were missing during the severe crisis of Venezuela.
Another sign of the beginning of the economic decline is the restoration of traditional confectionery and bakeries in Venezuela, which were most affected by the real economic decline of the country, as consumers reduced their consumption of luxury goods due to hyperinflation.
Venezuela received such necessary oil, which was provided by the actual dollarization, after President Nicolas Maduro decided to weaken currency control in 2019, reacting to sanctions against oil revenues.
Dollarization meant that Venezuela no longer had to deal with fluctuations in the local currency, that in some areas it was easier to spend more money, and the import of wheat flour and other ingredients became easier.
Andres Kerese and his family, owners of one of the oldest bakery chains in Caracas, are taking advantage of the opportunity to use the dollar more widely, although bakeries are still not as prosperous as 10 years ago. Production” has fallen, and now it has increased slightly.
A customer who has stopped ordering is coming back,” Kerese told Reuters in the courtyard of his family’s pastry shop, where, despite the food and bread, lunch is also offered. The supply and processing of wheat flour has been controlled by the state for years, the supplies turned out to be incorrect, which caused a decrease in bread production and bread rationing in Venezuela.
Luis Nunez, director of the national baking federation, representing 8 thousand enterprises, said that “there is an improvement in the bakery, since the government does not affect the distribution of products in any way, and dollarization has provided great support to at least large cities.” Venezuela imports wheat flour for processing.
In Venezuela, the Food Chamber reports an increase in production by 4.4 in December 2021 to August 2022, although flour processing decreased by 10 third years earlier by 10 third years.
The business authorities told Reuters that, although the improvement is financed at their own expense, because there are not enough loans, hundreds of shopping centers closed at the peak of the crisis in Venezuela. However, those with whom they fought now see a small obstacle,” the owners said.
According to Vivian Caloni, the owner of a pastry shop in north Caracas, which has recently expanded, including a coffee shop, “customers have asked us to reconsider ourselves and expand the premises.” Kaloni added: “People go out more often to drink coffee and buy something sweet.” Low wages are still hindering bakers seeking to expand, although the economic situation in the district is improving.
The cheapest breads cost $ 1, coffee in an ordinary bakery – at least $ 1,50. However, many people still cannot afford pies and cookies in a country with a minimum monthly wage of $12.
