Ministry of Agriculture to Address Increase in Beef Prices

And, according to Minister Mai, a balance must be struck to ensure that local buyers are not struck out of the equation. One option is for Belizeans slaughterhouses to play the waiting game until prices decrease, which Minister Mai and Garcia assured us will happen. A second option is for local slaughterhouses to match the prices Guatemala and Mexico are paying. Minister Mai gave his take.

Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security

Jose Abelardo Mai

“We need to discuss this more in-depth with our policy unit to see where we can strike the balance. I don’t believe, let me tell you something. The peak of the COVID era, you will recall that farmers were literally giving away meat, you remember? Now, farmers lost millions of dollars. Never the less they kept going. So, now the farmers have the opportunity to make a little extra buck right now. Is it wise for us to say to the farmers well you lower your price to the local consumer or to the exporter? But, we do need, I want you to understand the farmer’s position, while bearing in mind the consumer’s position. Now, if you look at the amount of beef consumed in the country, it is a very small amount, not a lot. Nevertheless the price right now is going up to the consumers. This is something that has to be addressed. I don’t think it will last for too long because the price will even out.”