The Eastern Agricultural Chamber (CAO) of Bolivia rejected Decree 5676 of the right-wing government of Rodrigo Paz, which raises the price of diesel for large consumers, and called an extraordinary congress in defense of the sector amid warnings about possible food supply risks.

The chamber, which represents small, medium and large producers from Bolivia’s eastern region, said the extraordinary congress will analyze the impact of the measure and define actions in defense of productive activity.

“The Agricultural Sector expresses its rejection of Supreme Decree No. 5676 due to the Government’s discriminatory treatment of small, medium and large producers by implementing a differentiated diesel price compared with other economic activities,” the association said.

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According to the CAO, the provision does not address the root causes of fuel shortages in the country but deepens them. In a statement, the association said the application of differentiated prices is an incentive for profiteering, speculation, the black market and corruption, which are the main problems behind the diesel shortage. It stressed that “this Decree is not a definitive solution to the problem.”

#Comunicado #CAO pic.twitter.com/8WwzJwdMLN

— CAO Bolivia (@CAOdigital) August 17, 2026

CAO president Klaus Frerking warned that the government’s decision raises concern over its possible effects on production and national food supply. He stressed that the sector should not be blamed for possible shortages of products.

Frerking announced an expanded meeting with grassroots producers to define joint actions.

The meeting will seek to build consensus on the measures the sector will adopt in response to the new price scheme, amid alerts over food supply and compliance with commitments made to producers.

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