Ice-cream production in Salcedo, Ecuador, has a rich history dating back to the mid-20th century when Franciscan nuns first created creamy popsicles from leftover fruit shakes. This innovative idea quickly turned into a thriving industry that put Salcedo on the map for its delicious ice-cream flavors.
However, a recent wave of power outages, lasting up to 14 hours a day, has cast a shadow over the future of Salcedo's ice-cream industry. The outages, caused by a prolonged dry spell affecting hydroelectric plants in Ecuador, have severely impacted local ice-cream producers.
Small companies like Polar Bear, which once produced 60,000 popsicles per month, are now struggling to make 10,000 due to the outages. This has led to layoffs and financial strain, with many businesses dipping into savings to stay afloat.
The power crisis has not only affected ice-cream producers but has also caused a ripple effect throughout the local economy. Dairy farms, fruit growers, transporters, and small shops that sell popsicles have all felt the impact of reduced production and sales.
President Daniel Noboa's promise to end power shortages this month is met with skepticism, as analysts doubt the country's capacity to make up for the deficit. While the government has taken steps to address the crisis by acquiring electric generators, experts warn that these measures may not be sufficient.
Salcedo's once vibrant ice-cream industry now faces an uncertain future, with many small producers forced to close their doors. The town's three largest ice-cream factories, including Corp Ice-Cream, have also seen a significant decline in sales and production.
As Salcedo grapples with the devastating impact of the power outages, the community remains hopeful for a resolution to the crisis that threatens their beloved ice-cream industry.
