Retail Cost of Sliced Bread to Go Up to $2.50

Belizeans across the country, at all levels of society, are buckling under the weight of severe inflation and, come December eighteenth, things won’t get any cheaper.  Earlier today, a press release was issued under the headline “Collective Bakers” informing that the retail cost of a sixteen ounce pack of sliced bread will increase to two dollars and fifty cents.  According to the statement, the decision comes after multiple requests for the Government of Belize and the Ministry of Agriculture were ignored.  Citing June fifteenth, September seventh and October fourth as dates in which the collective reached out to G.O.B. on a way forward, bakers say they have absorbed the cost of inputs which include the prices of all raw ingredients, packaging materials imported from Mexico, as well as the increase in the cost of butane.  The release also goes on to say, “the increase in minimum wage has become a strong challenge to the entire baking industry.  Most industries do not have price controls as bakeries do, therefore, these industries are able to increase prices on their products, and can offer higher wages to their employees.  The baking industry cannot offer higher wages as other industries can, which makes it challenging for us to retain our workforce, high turnover”.  News Five has attempted to get a comment from Agriculture Minister Jose Abelardo Mai, but our message has gone unanswered.