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Earlier this week B.S.C.F.A. had called on the sugar mill to boost its processing capacity, because they say farmers run the risk of losing out on their investment. They say the factory is only operating at fifty percent capacity. And, although the sugar crop is practically at a standstill until an interim agreement is signed, […]
Written on December 29, 2021 | Posted in
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Among the successes of 2021 is the retiring Belize’s international debt to bondholders. That, coupled with huge improvements in the agriculture and tourism sectors, gives a positive outlook on the country’s economy. Prime Minister John Briceño “2021 spectacularly brought the end of super bondage. The retirement of the super bond wiped away half a […]
Written on December 29, 2021 | Posted in
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Economy |
Comments Off on PM on Retiring the Super Bond and Boosting Agriculture
Tonight, we open our newscast with unrest in the Sugar Belt. The latest information coming out of Orange Walk to News Five is that B.S.C.F.A. members are currently protesting outside of the A.S.R./B.S.I.’s compound. Reports are that farmers are using their sugar cane trucks to block the entrance and exit of the compound. Here is […]
Written on December 28, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Sugar Cane Farmers Block Entrance to A.S.R./B.S.I.
The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association refuses to deliver its sugar cane to the mill at Tower Hill, only days after the delayed start of the sugar crop. This evening, trucks of sugar cane were lined up outside the mill at a standstill, blocking the ticketing booth. Association members are refusing to take the sugar […]
Written on December 28, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on B.S.C.F.A. Stalls Sugar Cane Delivery
As we mentioned earlier, A.S.R./B.S.I. says that by agreeing to the April thirtieth deadline for negotiations, a new agreement to be signed, it is honoring the Prime Minister’s proposal. Here is what Shawn Chavarria, Director of Finance at B.S.I. told us today. Shawn Chavarria, Director of Finance, B.S.I. “Well we have responded accordingly and […]
Written on December 28, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on A.S.R./B.S.I. Firm on G.O.B. Proposed Deadline
In fact, A.S.R./B.S.I. has already issued an addendum to the existing commercial agreement, to B.S.C.F.A., that stipulates an extension of the current agreement to April thirtieth. B.S.C.F.A. confirmed having received that agreement. But, they are of the view that the April thirtieth deadline does more harm to the farmers than good. Here is what Oscar […]
Written on December 28, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on B.S.C.F.A. Demands August Extension Date to Interim Agreement
On the Government of Belize’s end, a decision has not been reached on B.S.C.F.A.’s request. When we caught up with, Jose Mai, Minister of Agriculture, outside of the B.S.C.F.A.’s office in Orange Walk today, he told us that he is yet to see B.S.C.F.A.’s letter. Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture “I have not […]
Written on December 28, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on G.O.B. Still to Deliberate Interim Agreement Expiration Date
But, the challenges that the sugar crop is facing does not end there. On the first day of the sugar crop opening, a fight ensued outside the compound of A.S.R./B.S.I. Vlademir Puck the Chairman of Corozal Sugar Cane Farmers Association and disgruntled farmers from Corozal reportedly went blow for blow during a physical altercation after […]
Written on December 28, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Sugar Cane Association’s Internal Feud Erupts into Physical Altercation
The sugar crop is set to begin on December twenty-seventh, without a consensus on how the B.S.C.F.A. and A.S.R./B.S.I. will reach a new commercial agreement. In an attempt to start the sugar crop after a one-week delay, the Sugar Industry Control Board has agreed to gazette the start of the crop for Monday. But, the […]
Written on December 24, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Crop Set to Commence; Commercial Agreement Negotiations Continue
The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, in a release today, says that it finds the Government of Belize’s proposal favorable, with one condition. Their condition is that the interim agreement contains a provision for an automatic extension of the expiry date, from April thirtieth, 2022 to August first 2022, to allow for circumstances that require […]
Written on December 24, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on B.S.C.F.A. Favors G.O.B. Proposal on Commercial Agreement Negotiations
The Sugar Industry Control Board says it is confident that an agreement will be met between B.S.C.F.A. and A.S.R./B.S.I. by the end of April. Marcos Osorio, chairman of the Sugar Industry Control Board, spoke with our colleagues at C.T.V. 3 via zoom on Thursday. Marcos Osorio, Chairman, S.I.C.B. “This agreement was reached in good […]
Written on December 24, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Sugar Industry Control Board Weighs In On Interim Agreement
We also heard from Minister of Agriculture Jose Abelardo Mai, who told us over the phone that the government will be part of the negotiations, every step of the way. He says that they, too, are confident that a new commercial agreement will be reached by the end of April of 2022. In the meantime, […]
Written on December 24, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Minister of Agriculture Says Farmers Welcome Crop Season Opening
News Five has confirmed that an agreement has been reached to start the sugar cane crop season on Monday, December twenty seventh. A meeting was held this morning and the Sugar Industry Control Board (S.I.C.B.), made the decision. Both B.S.C.F.A. and A.S.R. /B.S.I. made presentations today. Up to yesterday, there were questions about whether the […]
Written on December 23, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Sugar Crop to Commence Monday
Among her accomplishments, Myrna Manzanares was instrumental in helping to create the Kriol dictionary and Kriol translation of the Bible. But, there were other things about the late Manzanares that some people may not know. Silvaana shared some of those aspects of her late friend, referring to her as “The Spirit of Kriol.” Silvaana […]
Written on December 21, 2021 | Posted in
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People & Places |
Comments Off on Manzanares: a Listener, Creator, and Singer
As the sticky situation between B.S.C.F.A. and A.S.R./B.S.I. moves into day-two of the sugar crop opening delay, today we heard from the Chairman of the Sugar Industry Control Board. Marcos Osorio wrote to the mill last Friday informing them that the sugar crop cannot commence on December twentieth citing, “a need for a publication in […]
Written on December 21, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on S.I.C.B. Says Gazette Notification is the Law
According to Osorio, a meeting of the board has been called to hear presentations from the B.S.C.F.A. and A.S.R./B.S.I. Osorio alluded to a division between association representatives on the board, accusing A.S.R./B.S.I. representatives of inciting division. As the Chairman, Osorio also has a position on the issue. He is of the view that both parties […]
Written on December 21, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on S.I.C.B. Chairman: Both Sides Should Sign One-Year Extension of Agreement
We also sought to find out from Osorio if any of the politicians in the north had any influence on S.I.C.B.’s letter to A.S.R./B.S.I. last Friday. Here is how he responded. Marcos Osorio, Chairman, S.I.C.B. “I would say no influence. Actually, I made the proper consultations before drafting the press release, guided by the […]
Written on December 21, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Osorio Says There Was No Political Interference; Sugar Board Functioning Well
As you heard, one of the points of the contention between A.S.R./B.S.I. and farmers that has triggered a response from the Sugar Industry Control Board is the current milling capacity at B.S.I. When we spoke to VP of International Relations at A.S.R./B.S.I. on Monday, however, he noted the significant investments A.S.R. has made to increase […]
Written on December 21, 2021 | Posted in
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Economy |
Comments Off on A.S.R. Wants Investors to Feel Confident About Investment Climate
Perhaps the longest standing product of contention is the baggase, or the waste of the sugar cane, used to make energy. BELCOGEN, the plant that generates the bio-energy from bagasse, has reportedly generated revenues to the sum of one hundred and forty-five million dollars. Sugar cane farmers at B.S.C.F.A., having seen these figures, are demanding […]
Written on December 21, 2021 | Posted in
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Economy |
Comments Off on B.S.I. Says They Pay Fair Price for Bagasse
The delayed start of the 2021 sugar crop remains a hot-button issue for stakeholders across the industry. The miller is at odds with cane farmers over various matters, including prices, and the government now finds itself caught in the middle of a standoff between the Belize Sugar Industries Ltd. and the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers […]
Written on December 21, 2021 | Posted in
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Economy |
Comments Off on Area Rep Weighs in on Sugar Woes
Teams from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Agriculture met on Monday to discuss greater cooperation and developing further trade with Guatemala and Mexico. According to the Government Press Office, key topics were market access and the expansion of the Partial Scope Agreement. The meeting also looked at concerns relating to bilateral trade […]
Written on December 21, 2021 | Posted in
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Foreign Affairs |
Comments Off on Foreign Affairs and Trade and Min. of Agriculture Hold Joint Talks on Export
It was a tense weekend as cane farmers in the north were wondering if B.S.I. would start processing cane today. But that didn’t happen and there may be further delays and potential losses. B.S.I. had announced they would proceed, even if all cane farmers associations were not on board. But then on Friday, the Sugar […]
Written on December 20, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Sugar Crop Season Did Not Start as Scheduled
A.S.R./B.S.I. says it has become evident to the company that the Association wants more money from the mill for sugar cane at a time when the mill says they cannot afford it. A.S.R./B.S.I.’s reluctance to sign an interim agreement to their Commercial Agreement is rooted in the position that the company is not in a […]
Written on December 20, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on B.S.I. Says It Cannot Afford to Pay More
When we caught up with Prime Minister Briceño today at an event out west, we sought a comment on the situation of the sugar industry. As a second generation canero himself, PM Briceño commented on the livelihood the industry has afforded his family and many families in the north. Prime Minister John Briceño “Our […]
Written on December 20, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on PM Comments on Sugar Situation
Reporters also questioned PM Briceño about S.I.C.B.’s position and what he foresees to be the implications of the delay. According to the PM, the delay presents an opportunity for farmers to deliver quality cane when milling does commence. Prime Minister John Briceño “Simply what was pointed out by the SIBC that have said that […]
Written on December 20, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on PM Says Crop Delay is Opportunity to Improve Product
