Different sources mean varied butane prices

The recent announcement by the Government of Belize that butane prices would increase significantly come this Sunday was greeted coolly by consumers. And when the list of new prices was read, more than one person might have noticed that in the midst of five dollar price hikes for most of the country, customers in Dangriga are only going to pay two dollars more and in Punta Gorda, the price will actually decrease by four dollars. A check with the Ministry of Trade reveals that the main distributors from every district submit the rate at which they acquire butane from their suppliers. The government takes that number and factors it into their financial equation to come up with the price per cylinder for each district. Apparently, lead distributor in the Stann Creek District, Southern Choice Butane in Dangriga, imports their gas from Guatemala at lower rates than those who bring in theirs from Mexico, and that explains the difference in prices. According to the ministry’s Nigeli Sosa, the companies have now agreed to submit their acquisition costs by the third of each month so that the new prices, if there are any increases or decreases, would take effect on the fifth of that same month. Come Sunday, Belizeans will have to pay, per hundred pound cylinder, sixty dollars in Dangriga, sixty-one dollars in P.G., Corozal, and Orange Walk; sixty-two dollars in Belize City, sixty-four dollars in Belmopan, sixty five dollars in San Ignacio and sixty-six in Benque Viejo.