Bolivia Inaugurates First Potato Processing Plant

In Bolivia, President Luis Arce inaugurated the Potato Processing, Collection, and Storage Plant in El Alto, La Paz, marking a significant advancement for the potato sector with an investment of BOB 162 million (USD 23.7 million).

Luis Arce:

"We come to deliver this plant already in production to the brothers and sisters of El Alto, so that we can confirm once again that our beloved city of El Alto has decisively entered the stage of industrialization."

The construction of the modern industrial plant, which required an investment of more than BOB 162 million (USD 23.4 million), began on January 3, 2023, and comes into operation as of today. 

The President thanked the Mayor of El Alto, Eva Copa, for the transfer of a 2.4-hectare (ha) plot in District 14 to establish the new state industry that will benefit the people of El Alto. 

The plant has four production lines, one of which will be for the production of French fries.

Luis Arce:

"Now, sisters and brothers, the Bolivian people and why not neighboring countries as well, will be able to purchase the delicious potatoes made here in the city of El Alto, with raw materials from La Paz"

The other production lines of the industry are mashed potatoes, frozen pre-fried potatoes, flakes, and starch. The plant also has four potato storage silos of 840 tons (t) each. 

Arce highlighted that potato production in the department of La Paz is a fundamental activity and that with this new industry in El Alto, it will be avoided that the tuber is marketed in other countries, such as Peru.

Luis Arce:

"The brother producer has the possibility of selling his production safely and consistently to our plant to industrialize that potato"

He also noted that the Potato Processing Plant is one of many being built and delivered nationwide, which implies "a qualitative leap in the national economy towards the industrialization process" to substitute imports.

Luis Arce:

"We are advancing in our industrialization process; it is important to advance because the economy is the main concern of all. And we are stepping on the accelerator in several areas to guarantee employment, income for Bolivian families, and greater production"