Local hams popular but growers face shortage
If you want to buy Belizean this Christmas, you’d better hurry. The three producers of local hams say their product is gaining in popularity, but due to a shortage of pigs they expect to sell out quickly this year. The following story comes courtesy of the Government Press Office.
One of the most important purchases for Belizean Christmas is choosing the right ham for our Christmas meals. Over the past few years more and more Belizeans have chosen locally produced hams over the imported ones from abroad. The main producers of local hams are McKesey’s, Smiling and Running W Brand Meats. All producers have improved on their quality and the customers have rewarded them with strong customer loyalty. Charles Richards is one of Belize’s best when it comes to making ham.
Charles Richards, Running W Meats
“We make the brine. After the brine we pump it. After we pump it then we put it to reserve for forty-eight hours at least. Then we cook it. After we cook it then we wrap it, ready to sell.”
Buying a locally produced ham this Christmas will also help the economy.
Escander Bedran, Owner, Running W Meats
“It’s a trickle effect from a small farmer right up to the retailer in Belize City or country wide because it’s money staying at home, money being spent. Everybody has something to get from it, from the producer to the guy producing corn to the guy slaughtering the hogs and processing up to the retailer in any supermarket in the country because everybody gets a feedback. It’s not money being spent out of the country; it’s locally spent money and this is what we are looking for: foreign economy. That’s why we have a local industry for money to stay home.
We have been getting a lot of good comments from people calling us everyday about the products we produce and it’s a freshly produced product. We do on a bi-weekly basis so the product is only two weeks old before it hits the housewife.”
Whether it’s the taste or wanting to help local industry Belizeans are crazy over locally produced hams.
Consumer #1
“Local hams are usually the best hams in Belize because the majority of the people are looking forward to the Belize hams, because it’s better than to buy the other kinds of ham.”
Consumer #2
“When you buy your own Belizean product the money stays at home. Instead of buying the imported, one part of the money is spent abroad so I prefer local.”
Locally produced hams from Smiling, McKesey and Running W are available at your local supermarket. It’s advised that you purchase yours early as supplies are limited this year due to a shortage of pigs in Belize.
