Rice Growers Say Decrease is the Result of discussions With G.O.B.

Stanley Rempel

According to Stanley Rempel, C.E.O. of Circle R Products, the decrease in the cost of Grade C rice is the result of lengthy discussions with government on the issue.  Grade C rice, says the producer, is widely consumed by Belizeans.

Isani Cayetano

“There is a sense of timeliness with regards to a government release earlier this morning, concerning a decrease in the cost Grade C rice.  How does that factor into this equation?”

Stanley Rempel, C.E.O., Circle R Products

“Well it’s something, it’s meetings that we’ve been having with the government over the last couple of weeks.  It’s something that was decided months ago that it would be put into effect.  It should be in effect already, we’re waiting for a release or some public statement saying that it is in effect.”

Isani Cayetano

“It has been released earlier today.”

Stanley Rempel

“It has been released, okay.”

Reporter

“What’s the effect of that?”

Stanley Rempel

“What is the effect of that?”

Reporter

“Yes.  For the consumer.”

Stanley Rempel

“Well they should be seeing prices on the shelf at that controlled price, whatever the controlled price will be, which is something that we will conform to.”

Isani Cayetano

“But it is being described as inferior quality rice.  It’s thirty percent broken or that’s the description that was used earlier.”

Stanley Rempel

“It is, I wouldn’t say inferior rice.  It is roughly, I would say, about forty percent of our market is Grade C rice.  Belizeans have been eating it all the years, up to now and which is now going to be the Grade C price controlled rice.”