Uruguayan grocery stores, convenience stores, and supermarkets are facing delays in the distribution of Conaprole dairy products due to a union dispute that has been going on for several weeks. The Conaprole Workers and Employees Association (AOEC) is maintaining work schedules following the announcement of the closure of Plant 14 in Rivera, which resulted in delays in the delivery of basic products.
The cooperative reported that 69,000 kilos of liquid buttermilk were wasted in five days as a result of the union measures. According to general manager Gabriel Valdés, the incident was notarized and affects production destined for export. The board warned that the continued conflict will force them to choose between processing milk powder or buttermilk.
The union rejected this version and pointed out that the company's decision not to dry whey at the Florida plant , which accumulated 300,000 liters, was its own. It also questioned Conaprole's use of public roads to deliver products to Rivera, which, in its opinion, compromises the cold chain and food safety.
Although the union has suspended new measures at the request of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MTSS), it announced that they could be intensified if there is no progress. At the political level, the Rivera Departmental Board convened an AOEC meeting and asked President Yamandú Orsi to receive a delegation from the union and local representatives.
At the same time, Conaprole reported shortages on shelves and an increase in dairy imports from Argentina and Brazil. The president of Cambadu, Daniel Fernández, indicated that there is less variety of by-products in warehouses, but assured that milk continues to arrive, albeit with more delays. "Milk cannot be missing," he stated.
The cooperative argues that the closure in Rivera is due to the decline in sales of packaged milk. Fernández confirmed that in Montevideo, especially in the southern region, consumers prefer boxed milk, reflecting a change in habits.
The manager of the Association of Supermarkets (ASU), Daniel Menéndez, warned that if the conflict continues, there could be a shortage of boxed milk. Meanwhile, major chains such as Tienda Inglesa , Disco, and Ta-Ta declined to comment. In Rivera and Artigas, plant workers stated that no products have been brought in since last Saturday due to a company decision.
