Belize Cane Farmers Call for Sugar Price Hike Amid Industry Crisis
Four northern Belize sugarcane associations are demanding a sugar price hike, with 65% of the increase to benefit cane fields. Citing a crisis in the industry, they also seek reforms in molasses pricing and electricity from bagasse. Challenges include low cane quality, falling prices, and rising pest infestations like fusarium, which threaten crop health and yields.
The four sugarcane associations in the north are asking for an increase in sugar prices with 65 percent of the increase being earmarked for the cane fields. The sugar price increase is one of three areas they are exploring. The other two being molasses used for making rum, and the electricity generation from bagasse. In a joint statement from the associations on Monday, the farmers stated that the sugar industry is facing a critical and unprecedented crisis. According to the farmers, the association leaders have made recommendations after reviewing the Commission of Inquiry Report. Alfredo Ortega of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers’ Association (BSCFA) explained that a combination of factors has led to the associations coming together.
Alfredo Ortega, Vice Chairman, BSCFA: “This time is totally different because not only the price is low, the quality of cane was low and the issue with the pests especially the fusarium that is something hugely damaging those cane fields that are infected and we can see that the infestation is growing rather than reducing so that is why we came together to ask for these assistance so that we can reduce or well at least hold that the spreading of this diseases doesn’t continue. That is something that we’re looking for and as I said we are really seeing that it’s not only now as we have experienced it before that only prices go down but now its a price down, a combination of problems new problems that we’re facing now with the different pests and also looking into the quality of the cane that we have delivered to the mill.”
The joint statement was signed by Alfredo Ortega of the BSCFA; Cosme Hernandez of the Progressive Sugar Cane Producers Association; Vladimir Puck of the Corozal Sugar Cane Producers’ Association and Damian Loza of the Northern Sugar Cane Growers’ Association.
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Source : Love FM
