Bolivian Bread Smuggled to Peru, Sells for Triple the Price

Marraqueta Smuggling: Bolivian Bread's Unexpected Journey to Peru La Paz, Bolivia – Bolivian marraquetas, a staple bread, are finding an unexpected market: Peru. Due to government subsidies keeping the price low in Bolivia (0.50 Bolivianos), enterprising individuals are smuggling the bread across the border, where it sells for three times the price (1.50 Peruvian Soles). A recent Unitel Bolivia report highlights this cross-border trade, revealing a thriving black market for a subsidized good. "They bring them in during the early morning hours, in large quantities," explained one vendor in the Peruvian border town of Desaguadero, interviewed by Unitel. The report showed the significant price difference, using both Bolivian and Peruvian currency to illustrate the profit margin. The issue raises concerns about the effectiveness of government subsidies and the potential for exploitation. While the marraquetas are in high demand due to their quality and price in Peru, the practice undermines Bolivian economic policies and raises questions about fair trade. The Unitel report serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of cross-border trade and the unintended consequences of economic policies.