Venezuela’s Largest Food Co. Says Dollar Delays Threaten Supply

Empresas Polar SA, Venezuela’s largest privately-held company, said food production is at risk from record delays in the release of foreign currency by the government, fueling shortages of goods such as rice and milk. Polar, which produces everything from beer to corn flour, can’t import more raw materials, equipment and packaging, the company said in an e-mailed statement today. Dollar shortages have increased the company’s debt with foreign suppliers by 194 percent in the past two years to $463 million, the Caracas-based company said. More...