Polling firm Datanálisis: food shortage index at 30% in January

Although Venezuela's food shortage index reached 30% during the first 15 days of 2013, the largest since 2008, polling firm Datanálisis estimates a 4-6% increase in private consumption in 2013, "considering that it is an electoral year."

Datanálisis' President Luis Vicente León stressed that the Government leads to shortages by expressing hostility at the domestic production sector through expropriation and nationalization threats and policies aimed at regulating food price and the foreign exchange.

León underscored that the indicator has shown an upward trend since October 2012.

Translated by Jhean Cabrera