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Also discussed during the meeting was the ongoing bilateral agricultural cooperation between Belize and Mexico focusing on soursop, pitahaya, dragon fruit and soybean. As it currently stands, Belize is producing a surplus of soybean and mechanisms are being prepared for the exportation of soybean and soybean meal to Mexico. Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister […]
Written on June 15, 2023 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Soybean Soon to be Exported to Mexico
The newly implemented Belize Sugar Industry Regulations 2023 are the latest decisions by government causing controversy across the sugar belt. As we have reported, the regulations require that importers and exporters of sugar apply to the Sugar Industry Control Board annually for a license. There are, however, preconditions to acquiring approval for such license. The […]
Written on June 1, 2023 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Minister of Agriculture Explains Controversial Preconditions in Latest Sugar Legislation
As we said, the Corozal Sugarcane Producers Association and the Progressive Sugarcane Producers Association held a virtual press conference this afternoon to voice their concerns with the new regulations. Their primary apprehension has to do with section sixteen of the legislations, the very same section that Minister Mai quoted which speaks to the preconditions that […]
Written on June 1, 2023 | Posted in
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Comments Off on CSCPA & PSCPA Says Government of Belize is Bias to B.S.C.F.A.
In May, Cabinet approved one million dollars in subsidies to the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association for the purchase of Fertilizers. In its announcement, Cabinet noted that B.S.C.F.A. has not benefited from premiums derived from Fairtrade for the past two years. The release noted that the subsidies were approved to improve crop yields. In our […]
Written on June 1, 2023 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Government of Belize Approves $1 Million in Subsidies to B.S.C.F.A. for Purchase of Fertilizers
The Corozal Sugarcane Producers Association and the Progressive Sugarcane Producers Association are now requesting an interview with the Prime Minister. They say that their farmers are also facing similar plights as their fellow farmers in the Belize Sugarcane Farmers Association. The two associations are now demanding that the Government of Belize also provide one million […]
Written on June 1, 2023 | Posted in
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Comments Off on CSCPA & PSCPA Demands $1 Million Fertilizer Subsidies from G.O.B.
Every year, millions of dollars are pumped into the sugar industry in Belize, through Fairtrade premiums. A premium is a calculated sum added to an ordinary price or charge. In the sugar industry, Fairtrade premiums act as an incentive to producers in developing countries that adhere to Fairtrade standards in the production of their sugarcane. […]
Written on May 31, 2023 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Multi-million Dollar Fairtrade System in Belize; Fairtrade or Unfair Trade?
The citrus industry has been experiencing a decline in production for years. But, is it really on the brink of flat lining? Rodwell Ferguson, the Area Representative for Stann Creek West gave a dismal review of the industry early last week. A few days later, Doctor Louis Zabaneh, the Area Representative for Dangriga, announced that […]
Written on May 26, 2023 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Stann Creek West Retracts Gloomy Review of Citrus Industry
Ferguson says the projected rebound of the citrus industry is a result of investments from Citrus Products of Belize Limited and large scale farmers. According to the minister, small scale citrus farmers are being eliminated from the industry. He says they have no interest in replanting citrus at this point in time. But, the good […]
Written on May 26, 2023 | Posted in
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Comments Off on The Future of Agriculture in Stann Creek is Diversification
The Citrus Growers Association has issued a press release, following recent reports of the dire state of the citrus industry. Last week, Stann Creek West Area Representative Rodwell Ferguson, as well as Minister of Agriculture Jose Abelardo Mai, commented on significant losses in revenue and employment in the citrus belt. Both government ministers also spoke […]
Written on May 23, 2023 | Posted in
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Comments Off on C.G.A. Responds to Reports on Citrus Industry
During Friday’s house meeting, Doctor Zabaneh spoke about the prospects of a recovery of the citrus industry and the efforts needed to revitalize the sector. Here’s more from the Dangriga Area Rep. Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Area Representative, Dangriga “Recently, over seven hundred thousand trees have been planted. That equates to over four thousand, seven […]
Written on May 23, 2023 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Demand for Citrus Products Remain Strong in CARICOM Region
On Sunday in Corozal District, hundreds of cane farmers from across northern Belize gathered on the campus of Escuela Secundaria Tecnica Mexico for a special meeting. The meeting was convened by the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association to discuss the issue of Fairtrade premiums. The B.S.C.F.A. claims that almost five million dollars in payments are […]
Written on May 22, 2023 | Posted in
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Comments Off on B.S.C.F.A. Holds Special Meeting to Discuss Fairtrade Premiums
The Ministry of Agriculture and A.S.R./B.S.I. are at odds once again. This time it is over what Agriculture Minister Jose Mai says are existing regulations that are now being “operationalized.” As we reported on Tuesday, the government has proposed the Sugar Industry (License to Import/Export) Regulations for 2023. This gives the Sugar Industry Control Board […]
Written on May 17, 2023 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Agriculture Minister Says Sugar Regulations Aren’t New
This afternoon, B.S.I.’s Director of Finance, Shawn Chavarria said that the company’s interpretation of the changes made by Statutory Instrument Sixty-two of 2023 is G.O.B. trying to probe into the private commercial affairs of the company. It compels B.S.I. to collect and disburse Fairtrade premium, is a process that is currently being carried out by […]
Written on May 17, 2023 | Posted in
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Comments Off on B.S.I. Says SI 62 is G.O.B. Trying to Probe into Its Private Commercial Affairs
Responding to A.S.R./B.S.I.’s concerns today was Agriculture Minister Jose Mai. During our sit down with Minister Mai in Belmopan, we asked him if there is a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest, since he is also a farmer and a member of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association. Here is […]
Written on May 17, 2023 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Agriculture Minister Defends Sugar Regulations
Currently, ninety percent of sugar produced at the mills is exported, and only ten percent is consumed locally. It’s an attempt to force B.S.I. to pay B.S.C.F.A. for Fairtrade premium. The miller will now face a series of red tape, including having to apply annually for a license and then applying for permits for every […]
Written on May 17, 2023 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Lotta Red Tape Created by New Sugar Regulation
Millions of dollars in investments have been made by American Sugar Refinery/Belize Sugar Industries over the years, including twenty million dollars in upgrades at the mill. But what’s the next move for the millers? Will they mount a legal challenge of the S.I. or pack up and leave? Finance Director Shawn Chavarria says that B.S.I. […]
Written on May 17, 2023 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Will B.S.I. Stage a Legal Challenge or Pack Up and Leave?
Minister Mai says it would not surprise him if A.S.R./B.S.I. decides to challenge the regulations in court. He also says that if the company does not like the laws of the country, it can leave. Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture “If you are not happy with the country, the country’s regulations, either you […]
Written on May 17, 2023 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Minister Mai says ASR/BSI Needs to be Fair
The citrus industry remains in dire straits and is teetering on the brink of failure, despite all attempts by the Government of Belize to bail it out of financial collapse. The unpleasant state of the industry is nothing new, however, the situation has only gotten worse. This morning, News Five also spoke with the Minister […]
Written on May 17, 2023 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Citrus Industry Hanging On by a Thin Thread, Despite GOB’s Assistance
The Sugar Industry Control Board has green-lighted a new set of regulations that will require persons to hold a valid license if they wish to import or export sugar out of Belize. Those new requirements have raised the ire of the miller, as well as caneros in the north. A.S.R./B.S.I. is not required to hold […]
Written on May 16, 2023 | Posted in
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Comments Off on New Sugar Regulations Proposes License for Import and Export of Sugar
Following B.S.I.’s release, the United Democratic Party issued a statement of its own voicing concerns over the manner in which the new regulations are being brought forward. The U.D.P. says, “laws and regulations should only be implemented after robust consultations with sugar industry stakeholders where consensus is built. This act by the Briceño Government and […]
Written on May 16, 2023 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Opposition Says It Will Not Support Proposed Sugar Regulation in the House
The once thriving citrus industry in Belize has been declining over the years and is now hanging by a thin thread. There has been a significant loss of jobs and some farmers are diversifying their investment to other crops. Last week, Prime Minister John Briceño met with stakeholders who are proposing a bamboo industry in […]
Written on May 16, 2023 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Citrus Industry Hanging by a Thin Tread, Welcome Bamboo Industry
Earlier this week, members of the Sugar Association of the Caribbean (SAC) met virtually to discuss matters pertaining to sugar production in the region. Mac McLachlan, the Director and Country Manager for Belize Sugar Industries Limited (B.S.I.), was present in the meeting as a member of the board of directors. During the meeting, directors noted […]
Written on May 12, 2023 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Regional Demand for Brown Sugar Almost Doubles
During the virtual meeting, directors acknowledged the continued increase in B.S.I.’s annual sugar production which is projected at one hundred and twenty-six thousand tons for this crop season. Additionally, the association’s board of directors appointed Mac McLachlan as Chairman of the Association for the remainder of 2022, 2023 financial year and 2023 to 2024. We […]
Written on May 12, 2023 | Posted in
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Comments Off on B.S.I.’s Mac McLachlan Appointed Chairman of Sugar Association of the Caribbean
In 2021, Belize exported over a million dollars worth of soybeans, mainly to Pakistan. Revenues from that export earner are expected to increase significantly this year, with the country now preparing to export a significant amount of the product to China. Minister of Agriculture, Jose Abelardo Mai made the announcement today in the Corozal District. […]
Written on May 10, 2023 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Belize to Export Soybeans to China
The three-day trade show that Belizeans across the country look forward to in Belmopan is now history, but even under the sweltering heat, this year’s attendance surpassed last year’s. The Ministry of Agriculture reports that over thirty-four thousand persons visited the event at the National Agriculture and Trade Show Grounds at the entrance to Belmopan. […]
Written on May 2, 2023 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Over 34,000 People Attended National Agriculture & Trade Show
