Sugar Crop Season Approaching, Where Are B.S.C.F.A. and A.S.R. on Bagasse Agreement?

Alfredo Ortega

For months, we’ve been reporting on the impasse in the sugar industry between the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association and the American Sugar Refinery. Both sides have been unable to reach any agreement on prices for bagasse and other hurdles. While the past season was delayed, sugar production targets were met, but another season is scheduled to begin next month. The B.S.C.F.A. threatened on Monday to delay the new sugar crop if they are unable to reach agreement in the next few weeks.

Alfredo Ortega, Vice Chairman, Committee of Management, B.S.C.F.A.

“We will not deliver if we do not have anything signed that will suit, something that will guide us or guide the process in a beneficial term. We won’t start any crop just like that, we won’t deliver if there isn’t anything signed that will guide the process.”

William Neal

“Has that been the consensus of your membership so far?”

Alfredo Ortega

“Yes, oh yes.”

Marleni Cuellar

“Considering the fact that they may take a loss with any delay?”

Alfredo Ortega

“Yes but we are looking forward because what this is looking through and we can if B.S.I. would want, we can finalize this process immediately  this week, if they would come and they talk to us in terms that will be beneficial. I am not saying that in any negotiations we will win the hundred percent but what we are looking forward to is something that will make justice to the farmers. Some compromise that will give justice to the industry; that is what we are looking forward to and on the other hand B.S.I. is coming like the old masters with the whip like we are the slaves and they are the masters. And we cannot continue this way, we have reached to this point in time where the association is equipped with technical people, with experts that are guiding us now how to negotiate in better terms, how to get more benefits for our farmers. We are not taking away from anyone what they deserve. What we are looking at is that farmers deserve for all their sacrifices that they are going through. So based on that if we would start any crop and we are saying we will not delay the crop…but the terms and conditions have to be that we need to sign something that will guarantee that benefit to the farmer.”