Shifting away from the production of yogurt and oatmeal, Los Andes dairy in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, has ramped up milk production eightfold in a bid to achieve what the government calls “nutritional sovereignty.”

The country is currently experiencing food shortages in general and dairy in particular. Instructions from the country’s president Hugo Chavez have been to boost production in all areas.
Los Andes Dairy has two pasteurisation plants, 52 distributorships and 3,000 employees. Similar to many sectors, the dairy has been acquired by a national company, an approach that has largely discouraged private investment in Venezuela, while making some foods scarce.

Chavez announced the purchase of Los Andes in March as a solution to the food shortages that have chipped away at his government’s popularity.