Months back, McDonald's Venezuela was forced to stop selling their staple French fries because of the country's times of economic turmoil, as the chain revealed they weren't able to import potatoes grown abroad due to major currency devaluation - but now that they're back, they're still an impossible item to purchase for the average citizen.
After a ten-month absence from McDonald's Venezuela, the chain's bringing the popular menu item back after serving fried manioc for all this time; however, as the country's currently the one with the highest inflation rate in the world, the price for a large order of fries is actually over $100.
According to Business Insider, the inflation-stricken South American land will now be serving large McDonald's Venezuela French fries at 800 bolivars, about $126 in the strongest of the country's exchange rates, while a regular-sized order will go for about $79.
However, as Fusion reports, this exchange rate is fairly unrealistic regarding the actual economic state of the nation, as the real value of the local bolivar (as shown in the country's black market) is about 800 bolivars per dollar, which means that the McDonald's Venezuela menu item in fact costs about $1.15; however, salaries are calculated through the stronger rate, which means that monthly minimum wage in the country led by Nicolas Maduro is only about $12.
Considering the country's low wages, either way, the McDonald's Venezuela prices are astronomical and far from everyday person's reach - however, the fast food chain can't possibly sell lower due to high production costs and the need to import numerous items.
Fortune Magazine reports Venezuela's inflation reached a whooping 68.5% according to its Central Bank last year, and analysts differ on the possible growth this year, with specialists calculating from 96.8% to even about 700%, the highest in the globe - and a solid explanation as to why an order in McDonald's in Venezuela is nearly impossible to pay in the country.
