Proposal for an Increase in Price for Brown and Plantation White Sugar

On Tuesday, the Corozal Sugar Cane Producers Association and the Progressive Sugar Cane Producers Association wrote Prime Minister John Briceño proposing an increase in the prices of brown and plantation white sugars.  According to the CSCPA, the last adjustment in the cost of bagged sugar sold in the Belize market was back in 2015.  While an increase may be deserved, is it the appropriate time to request an adjustment considering the massive inflation that is impacting consumers?  That’s the question that was posed to the prime minister earlier today.

Prime Minister John Briceño

Prime Minister John Briceño

“This is something that we in cabinet would have to take a look at because, as we know, the cost of living continues to go up and by raising the price of sugar, it will have a direct impact on almost everything.  We are trying to do our darndest best to keep down the cost of living.  The argument can be made that yes, it is deserving, but also, we can make an argument that taxpayers are helping by the fuel subsidy that we give, to be able to keep down the cost of their operations.  So whilst they are giving up something, the taxpayers of Belize are also giving up something.  Now, mind you, I am also a cane farmer so it would be in my interest if it were to go up, but that’s not what we are all about.  We have to look at the bigger picture and that is, what steps can we take to try to hold down the cost of living on all our citizens.”