Minister Addresses Rising Food Prices

Jose Abelardo Mai

Rising food prices, especially on imported goods, has become a topic of widespread concern. Today the Minister of Agriculture Jose Mai, who is also responsible for the portfolio of Food Security, appeared on Channel Five’s Open Your Eyes. He says the problem has multiple causes, but there is price gouging compounding the other challenges.

Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security

“The simple response is that there are three reasons why, actually four reasons why the prices have been increasing. The first is the cost of goods has increased. The second is that the cost of transportation has also increased. Of course, gouging is also present. And the third is with the new order, war in Ukraine and Russia, prices are getting even higher. But my department, Supplies Control, has done an exercise, especially in Belize City, clearly there is gouging. That has to be addressed.”