National general truck drivers’ strike and food security in a Brazilian metropolis

Abstract

Objective:We analysed the impact of the national general truck drivers’ strike on the availability, variety and price of foods sold by a food supply centre.Design:Descriptive study using secondary data to examine the percentage change in the mean price of fruits, vegetables and eggs before, during and after the strike. The strike in Brazil lasted 10 d from 21 to 30 May 2018. The drivers were on strike in order to make diesel oil tax-free and to obtain better working conditions.Setting:The food supply centre, named CEASA-Minas Grande BH, was located in the metropolitan area of a Brazilian city.Participants:We examined twenty types of foods.Results:After 10 d, there was a ~30 % reduction in the availability of all types of foods and prices increased. Foods with the highest price increases included cabbage (233·3 %), potatoes (220·0 %), papaya (160·0 %) and oranges (78·6 %). At the end of the strike, we observed reductions in the price of eggs, fruits, vegetables, roots and tubers; however, some foods remained more expensive than before the strike, including chayote (203·2 % higher), cucumber (66·7 % higher) and potatoes (60·0 % higher).Conclusions:The general truck drivers’ strike was correlated with a reduction in the availability of food and, consequently, increases in price and possibly restrictions on access. The strike demonstrated the dependence of metropolises on road transportation and the conventional market. We speculate that initiatives aiming to shorten the food supply chain and promote food sovereignty and resilience of the supply circuits could be important.

Brumadinho Health Project: food and nutrition insecurity versus socioeconomic statuses and dimensions of the food system after the dam rupture

“…Access to food and FI has also been investigated at critical moments in the country, such as the 2014-2015 economic crisis 19 and, more recently, during the truck drivers' strike 20 and the COVID-19 pandemic with the closure of commercial establishments 21 . Researchers found that the Brazilian economic crisis of 2014-2015 was associated with a sharp increase in the prevalence of FI in the state of Alagoas 19 .…”

“…Researchers found that the Brazilian economic crisis of 2014-2015 was associated with a sharp increase in the prevalence of FI in the state of Alagoas 19 . Conversely, the truck drivers' strike was associated with a reduction in the availability and variety of food and an increase in the prices of fruit and vegetables 20 . Strategies to combat the COVID-19 pandemic related to the closing of commercial establishments, in turn, may have reduced the demand for fresh food 21 .…”

Projeto Saúde Brumadinho: insegurança alimentar e nutricional versus condições socioeconômicas e dimensões do sistema alimentar após desastre

“…O acesso a alimentos e à IA também tem sido investigado em momentos críticos do país, como na crise econômica de 2014-2015 19 e, mais recentemente, durante a greve dos caminhoneiros 20 e na pandemia da COVID-19 com o fechamento dos estabelecimentos comerciais 21 . Verificou--se que a crise econômica brasileira de 2014-2015 se associou ao aumento acentuado na prevalência de IA no estado de Alagoas 19 .…”

“…Verificou--se que a crise econômica brasileira de 2014-2015 se associou ao aumento acentuado na prevalência de IA no estado de Alagoas 19 . Já a greve dos caminhoneiros foi associada à redução da disponibilidade e variedade de alimentos e ao aumento dos preços dos hortifrutigranjeiros 20 . As estratégias de combate à pandemia de COVID-19 relacionadas ao fechamento dos estabelecimentos comerciais, por sua vez, podem ter reduzido a demanda por alimentos in natura 21 .…”

Avaliação ergonômica dos locais de descanso de motoristas de caminhão e qualidade de sono

“…A atividade de trabalho dos profissionais motoristas de caminhão influencia direta ou indiretamente a vida da população, o que foi evidenciado pelas consequências de greves nacionais recentes (LOPES et al, 2019).…”