Sugar is Scarce, But Why?
Jose Abelardo Mai
Housewives and bakers experienced the most unusual of situations last week when they discovered that sugar had gone scarce and they were allowed to purchase only a couple pounds each. It’s unusual because Belize produces enough sugar to supply the local demand, as well as to export. And the millers at Tower Hill, the American Sugar Refinery, Belize Sugar Industries Limited didn’t put out a statement to say that sugar was scarce. So when we met with the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Jose Abelardo Mai on Monday, we asked him what’s the issue with sugar in Belize.
Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security
“The sugar in Mexico and Guatemala is three times the price what it is here in Belize. So if you are buying from B.S.I, 100 sacks, and Guatemalans sneak across the border and tell you, hey, I want to pay you so much for that. B.S.I doesn’t know where the sugar is going. B.S.I sells. The wholesalers sell. We’re not customs, right? So I am pretty sure that…”
Marion Ali
“Our sugar is making it across the border?”
Jose Abelardo Mai
“I’m also thinking that, because we have the lowest sugar – lowest price. It’s just natural, right? Now, if we raise the price of that, then they’ll say, “Oh, deh di price gouge,” or, “They are adding to the cost of living.” But that is the reason why sugar cannot be found easily.”
