Mission Mercal: Difference between revisions
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{{Bolivarian Missions}} |
{{Bolivarian Missions}} |
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'''Mission Mercal''' |
'''Mission Mercal''', officially launched on 24 April 2003 is a [[Bolivarian Missions|Bolivarian Mission]] established in [[Venezuela]] under the government of [[Hugo Chávez]]. The Mission involves a state-run company called ''Mercados de Alimentos, C.A.'' (MERCAL), which provides subsidised food and basic goods through a nationwide chain of stores. |
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Mission Mercal stores and cooperatives are mostly located in impoverished areas and sell generic-branded foods at discounts as great as 50%. |
Mission Mercal stores and cooperatives are mostly located in impoverished areas and sell generic-branded foods at discounts as great as 50%. While the company is heavily funded by the government, the goal was to become self-sufficient by replacing food imports with products from local farmers, small businesses, and cooperatives (many of whom have received microcredits from Mercal). |
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Since at least 2014, customers have said that there is a lack of products in Mercal stores and that items available at these stores change constantly.<ref name=ETshort/> Some customers complained about rationing being enforced at Mercal stores due to the lack of products.<ref name=ECshort/> |
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== History == |
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{{OR section|date=September 2014}} |
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[[File:Escasez en Venezuela, Mercal.JPG|200px|thumbnail|right|Shoppers waiting in line at a Mercal store.]] |
[[File:Escasez en Venezuela, Mercal.JPG|200px|thumbnail|right|Shoppers waiting in line at a Mercal store.]] |
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On 25 April 2003 broadcast of the television show [[Aló Presidente]], Chávez expressed his outrage at Venezuela's lack of [[food sovereignty]], and Mission Mercal was officially launched on 24 April.{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}} |
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The antecedent operations to Mission Mercal began operations following the economic hardships following the [[Venezuelan general strike of 2002-2003|strike/lockout of 2002]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.eldia.es/2003-01-28/venezuela/venezuela0.htm|title=Chávez asegura que podría empuñar las armas para defender la revolución|date=28 January 2006|newspaper=El País|accessdate=19 March 2009|quote="Ya estamos desarrollando e instalando un sistema integral pleno, nacional, de distribución de alimentos y de medicinas, para que no haya escasez"|language=es}}</ref> Up until that period, Venezuela's food production and distribution systems were primarily managed by large national corporations, a situation homologous to the present reality in Western nations such as the United States or Europe. As most corporations supported the strike/lockout, which was aimed at politically damaging Chávez, most of the food-related corporations joined the protests and ceased their operations. On the 25 April 2003 broadcast of the television show [[Aló Presidente]], Chávez expressed his outrage at Venezuela's lack of [[food sovereignty]] and the resultant vulnerability to the agenda of major food corporations, which was manifest in closed supermarkets, growing malnutrition, and food shortages. “This offensive served us a lot because we learned from the imperialism’s attack, from the Venezuelan oligarchy, and from those who were supporting the aggression against Venezuela and who would liked to have defeated us with hunger. [We learned] that we did not have a gram or a grain of anything, of food reserves. Before any natural, political or social disaster, Venezuela did not have then food reserves," Chávez stated. |
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[[File:Súper Mercal de Judibana.JPG|left|200px|thumbnail|Súper Mercal in |
[[File:Súper Mercal de Judibana.JPG|left|200px|thumbnail|Súper Mercal store in Judibana, Venezuela.]] |
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Afterwards, in the depths of the oil shutdowns and general turmoil of 2002, Mission Mercal's reach expanded rapidly. The Armed Forces were integral in providing logistical support in moving, procuring, warehousing, and distributing food. Military bases and supply depots were used as food supply nodes, while military barracks became storage centers. Chávez acknowledged this by stating that "the army of Venezuela took to the street, gave of themselves and made the task easier with their technology, their human resources, their means of transportation and their installations for storing food.” |
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With initially only three Mercals (markets) and two warehouses, Mission Mercal (following its permanent and official inauguration in 2003) quickly multiplied to the point where 12,500 Mercalitos (mini-Mercals), 13,392 Mercals, hundreds of cooperatives, 31 Supermercals (mega markets), and 102 vast warehouses comprised a sprawling distribution system serving millions of ''barrio'' dwellers. |
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In 2006 some 11.36 million Venezuelans benefited from Mercal food programs on a regular basis. At least 14,208 Mission Mercal food distribution sites were spread throughout Venezuela, and 4,543 metric tons of food distributed each day.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.eluniversal.com/2006/05/04/eco_ava_04A703401.shtml|title=Datanálisis: Mercal es el lugar preferido para comprar alimentos|date=4 May 2006|newspaper=[[El Universal (Caracas)|El Universal]]|accessdate=19 March 2009|language=es}}</ref> |
In 2006 some 11.36 million Venezuelans benefited from Mercal food programs on a regular basis. At least 14,208 Mission Mercal food distribution sites were spread throughout Venezuela, and 4,543 metric tons of food distributed each day.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.eluniversal.com/2006/05/04/eco_ava_04A703401.shtml|title=Datanálisis: Mercal es el lugar preferido para comprar alimentos|date=4 May 2006|newspaper=[[El Universal (Caracas)|El Universal]]|accessdate=19 March 2009|language=es}}</ref> |
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In 2010 Mercal was reported as having 16,600 outlets, "ranging from street-corner shops to huge warehouse stores," in addition to 6000 [[soup kitchen]]s. Mercal employs 85,000 workers.<ref>''[[Business Week]]'', 11 March 2010, [https://web.archive.org/web/20100314052640/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_12/b4171046603604.htm A Food Fight for Hugo Chavez]</ref> |
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== Food and discounts offered == |
== Food and discounts offered == |
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{{unreferenced section|date=August 2015}} |
{{unreferenced section|date=August 2015}} |
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Victuals offered by Mission Mercal include everything from meat and dairy (including powdered milk and cheese), to fresh produce, preserved foodstuffs, grains and cereals, fruits, vegetable oils, and mineral salts. These goods are offered in Mercal-affiliated establishments at discounts averaging between 25% |
Victuals offered by Mission Mercal include everything from meat and dairy (including powdered milk and cheese), to fresh produce, preserved foodstuffs, grains and cereals, fruits, vegetable oils, and mineral salts. These goods are offered in Mercal-affiliated establishments at discounts averaging between 25% and 50%. |
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==Shortages== |
==Shortages== |
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{{more|Shortages in Venezuela}} |
{{more|Shortages in Venezuela}} |
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Since at least 2014, shortages have affected Mercal stores. Customers have waited in long lines for discounted products and there has been a lack of products in Mercal stores and that items available at the stores change constantly.<ref name=ETshort>{{cite news|title=En Mercal hay mucha cola para pocos productos|url=http://eltiempo.com.ve/locales/puertocruz/consumo/en-mercal-hay-mucha-cola-para-pocos-productos/137134|accessdate=7 May 2014|newspaper=El Tiempo|date=1 May 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127122554/http://eltiempo.com.ve/locales/puertocruz/consumo/en-mercal-hay-mucha-cola-para-pocos-productos/137134|archivedate=27 January 2016}}</ref> Customers also complained about rationing being enforced at Mercal stores due to the lack of products.<ref name=ECshort>{{cite news|title=Usuarios molestos por venta racionada de alimentos en Pdval y Mercal |url=http://www.el-carabobeno.com/portada/articulo/76462/usuarios-molestos-por-venta-racionada-de-alimentos-en-pdval-y-mercal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508043027/http://www.el-carabobeno.com/portada/articulo/76462/usuarios-molestos-por-venta-racionada-de-alimentos-en-pdval-y-mercal |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 May 2014 |accessdate=7 May 2014 |newspaper=El Carabobeno |date=26 February 2014 }}</ref> In some cases, protests have occurred due to the shortages in stores.<ref>{{cite news|title=#27M Protestan frente a Mercal de Patarata (Fotos)|url=http://elimpulso.com/articulo/27m-protestan-frente-a-mercal-de-patarata-fotos#|accessdate=28 May 2014|newspaper=El Impulso|date=27 May 2014}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}<ref>{{cite news|date=28 January 2006|title=Chávez asegura que podría empuñar las armas para defender la revolución|language=es|newspaper=El País|url=http://www.eldia.es/2003-01-28/venezuela/venezuela0.htm|quote="Ya estamos desarrollando e instalando un sistema integral pleno, nacional, de distribución de alimentos y de medicinas, para que no haya escasez"|accessdate=19 March 2009}}</ref> |
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{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}} |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110622182046/http://www.mercal.gob.ve/web/ Misión Mercal] {{ |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110622182046/http://www.mercal.gob.ve/web/ Misión Mercal] {{in lang|es}} — Official governmental portal for Mission Mercal. |
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* [http://www.alopresidente.gob.ve/docs/Misiones/Mercal.pdf Mercal] {{ |
* [http://www.alopresidente.gob.ve/docs/Misiones/Mercal.pdf Mercal] {{in lang|es}} — Official Mission Mercal factsheet. |
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050408143003/http://www.misionvenezuela.gov.ve/05Mercal/05Soberaniaalimet.htm Mision Venezuela: Misión Mercal: Vía a la soberanía alimentaria] {{es icon}} — A governmental site detailing Mission Mercal. |
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* Wagner, Sarah. (''Venezuelanalysis'', 24 Jun 2005). [http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/articles.php?artno=1486 "Mercal: Reducing Poverty and Creating National Food Sovereignty in Venezuela"]. Retrieved 22 Oct 2005. |
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* {{Cite web|title=The Food Sovereignty Movement in Venezuela, Part 1|author=Anna Isaacs|author2=Basil Weiner|author3=Grace Bell|author4=Courtney Frantz|author5=Katie Bowen|last-author-amp=yes|date=November 26, 2009|work=[http://www.venezuelanalysis.com Venezuela Analysis]|url=http://venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/4952}} |
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{{authority control}} |
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[[Category:Bolivarian |
[[Category:Bolivarian missions]] |
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[[Category:Food politics]] |
[[Category:Food politics]] |
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[[Category:Food sovereignty]] |
[[Category:Food sovereignty]] |
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[[Category:Military of Venezuela]] |
[[Category:Military of Venezuela]] |
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[[Category:Politics of Venezuela]] |
[[Category:Politics of Venezuela]] |
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[[Category:Venezuelan brands]] |
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[[Category:Supermarkets of Venezuela]] |
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Latest revision as of 20:14, 23 July 2023
| Missions of the Bolivarian Revolution of Venezuela |
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| Food, Housing & Medicine |
| Education |
| Indigenous Rights, Land & Environment |
| Leaders |
Mission Mercal, officially launched on 24 April 2003 is a Bolivarian Mission established in Venezuela under the government of Hugo Chávez. The Mission involves a state-run company called Mercados de Alimentos, C.A. (MERCAL), which provides subsidised food and basic goods through a nationwide chain of stores.
Mission Mercal stores and cooperatives are mostly located in impoverished areas and sell generic-branded foods at discounts as great as 50%. While the company is heavily funded by the government, the goal was to become self-sufficient by replacing food imports with products from local farmers, small businesses, and cooperatives (many of whom have received microcredits from Mercal).
Since at least 2014, customers have said that there is a lack of products in Mercal stores and that items available at these stores change constantly.[1] Some customers complained about rationing being enforced at Mercal stores due to the lack of products.[2]
History[edit]
On 25 April 2003 broadcast of the television show Aló Presidente, Chávez expressed his outrage at Venezuela's lack of food sovereignty, and Mission Mercal was officially launched on 24 April.[citation needed]
In 2006 some 11.36 million Venezuelans benefited from Mercal food programs on a regular basis. At least 14,208 Mission Mercal food distribution sites were spread throughout Venezuela, and 4,543 metric tons of food distributed each day.[3]
In 2010 Mercal was reported as having 16,600 outlets, "ranging from street-corner shops to huge warehouse stores," in addition to 6000 soup kitchens. Mercal employs 85,000 workers.[4]
Food and discounts offered[edit]
 |
Victuals offered by Mission Mercal include everything from meat and dairy (including powdered milk and cheese), to fresh produce, preserved foodstuffs, grains and cereals, fruits, vegetable oils, and mineral salts. These goods are offered in Mercal-affiliated establishments at discounts averaging between 25% and 50%.
Shortages[edit]
Since at least 2014, shortages have affected Mercal stores. Customers have waited in long lines for discounted products and there has been a lack of products in Mercal stores and that items available at the stores change constantly.[1] Customers also complained about rationing being enforced at Mercal stores due to the lack of products.[2] In some cases, protests have occurred due to the shortages in stores.[5]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "En Mercal hay mucha cola para pocos productos". El Tiempo. 1 May 2014. Archived from the original on 27 January 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
- ^ a b "Usuarios molestos por venta racionada de alimentos en Pdval y Mercal". El Carabobeno. 26 February 2014. Archived from the original on 8 May 2014. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
- ^ "Datanálisis: Mercal es el lugar preferido para comprar alimentos". El Universal (in Spanish). 4 May 2006. Retrieved 19 March 2009.
- ^ Business Week, 11 March 2010, A Food Fight for Hugo Chavez
- ^ "#27M Protestan frente a Mercal de Patarata (Fotos)". El Impulso. 27 May 2014. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
External links[edit]
- Misión Mercal (in Spanish) — Official governmental portal for Mission Mercal.
- Mercal (in Spanish) — Official Mission Mercal factsheet.
- ^ "Chávez asegura que podría empuñar las armas para defender la revolución". El País (in Spanish). 28 January 2006. Retrieved 19 March 2009.
Ya estamos desarrollando e instalando un sistema integral pleno, nacional, de distribución de alimentos y de medicinas, para que no haya escasez