One tannery owner, Francisco Suárez, told Quito-based newspaper La Hora that the cost of hides has doubled since last June and that supplies are now of inferior quality, smaller size and poorer condition. He accused commercial agents inside Ecuador of ignoring the domestic market to sell the best hides to Colombia, Peru and China, at a higher price than local competitors could pay, but at a big discount on the prices they would have to pay if they were following correct trading practice. He suggested this trade was taking place through secret channels and called on the Ecuadorean government to intervene.

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