29 March 2010

BOLIVIA: Morales Threatens To Nationalize Sugar Growers.

LAHT/    President Evo Morales claims his nation's sugar growers are gouging consumers and is threatening to nationalize them. "If some owners of sugar refineries continue selling their sugar more cheaply abroad and more dearly (domestically), I will see myself forced to nationalize...those factories, without any fear,” Morales said. There are currently 4 sugar refineries in Santa Cruz and one in Tarija. The government is planning one in the south and another in the north. Annual sugar production is about 450,000 tons and domestic consumer demand is about 300,000 tons, leaving a surplus of 150,000 tons for export.