Agriculture Minister Says Final Cane Price Could Have Been Higher

And, while the new crop season is looking to kick off in December, farmers received the third payment of seventy dollars and seventy-eight cents based on the final cane price for 2022. The Belize Sugar Industries Limited (BSI) boasted that this represents a thirty percent increase compared to 2021 when farmers received fifty-four dollars and fifty-six cents. Minister of Agriculture, Jose Abelardo Mai, who is also a cane farmer, says it could have been more, especially when looking at the statistics from neighbouring countries. 

Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture: “I saw the last payment. I think they said it’s the highest in so many years. My view it could be better. My view.”

Reporter: But you’ll take it ?

Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture: “Why not ? Why not ? It’s mine. In Belize I’m always concerned about the price farmers get for the sugar cane, always. I’ve always been concerned because I’m a cane farmer. I don’t own a cane field I’m a cane farmer. I know what it takes to grow cane. I know what it costs to grow cane. I know how much money is left after I pay my bills so I’m always concerned for the price of sugar paid to the farmers in this country.”