MÉRIDA.- The dough and tortilla industry in Yucatán faces a serious problem: the growth of pirate mills and tortilla shopsWell, there are hundreds of businesses that operate outside the law, without permits or health controlswarned Fernando Monsivais Rodríguez, general director of the Information Group of the Dough and Tortilla Industry (IMT).
He pointed out that these merchants generate economic losses and represent unfair competition for the formal sector.
He stated that the operation of between 400 and 500 illegal businesses that sell at low prices, They evade taxes and put their health at risk of consumers.
Pirate mills and tortilla factories, unfair competition
“They sell tortillas through delivery people in stores and from house to house at a low cost, affecting formal commerce”he continued.
“These illegal businesses represent a unfair competitionit is estimated that there are between 400 and 500 of them in Yucatán. They operate selling tortillas at low prices, which seriously affects formal commerce,” he insisted.
The leader pointed out that the dough and tortilla union is already facing a complicated situation.
“We are fragmented“, and the bad administrations of the last 35 years have prevented the formation of a solid civil association that defends our interests,” he acknowledged.
They warn of corruption that makes it difficult to solve the problem
“Although we have raised these issues with the authorities, the corruption “It has made any solution difficult,” he stressed.
He revealed that, despite previous approaches with local officials, unfortunately they are faced with the lack of interest from the authorities for addressing unfair competition.
“The corruption is a fundamental problem. Although we have denounced these illegal businesses, money seems to protect them, which disappoints those of us who work to improve market conditions.”
Fernando Monsivais Rodríguez
The interviewee added that, in Yucatán there are 2,057 mills and tortilla factories that operate formally, according to the latest Inegi census. However, when adding illegal businesses, it is estimated that the total amounts to 2,457.
Impact of pirate mills and tortilla factories in Yucatán
“The impact of these illegal businesses is visible and growing, generating economic losses, displacement of customers and a distortion in pricesin addition to affecting consumer confidence by offering products without quality guarantee,” he stated.
He reiterated that, although in previous years this and other problems were exposed to the authorities, I don’t know got a good answermainly due to corruption.
“In previous years there have been approaches with local authorities, who have shown lack of interest in solving problems or they have not been able to face the unfair competition of low prices generated by informal and illegal trade,” he stressed.
In his opinion, the authorities have not shown a willingness to help, they only “take long and long” to find real solutions.
Corruption, obstacle to solving the problem
“Corruption is a fundamental part, since although this type of business has been reported, money prevents them from stopping operations and that generates disappointment for those who work to improve market conditions,” he insisted.
Monsivais Rodríguez stated that this situation leads them to the urgent need to regulate the sector and protect legal producersensuring the quality and sustainability of the dough and tortilla industry in Yucatán.
“These pirates have generated economic losses, displacement of clients and distortion in prices, as well affect consumer confidenceby offering products without quality guarantee or fair weight,” he concluded.
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