It’s called Fair Trade, a U.K. initiative to pay farmers a guaranteed price for their commodity above the world market rate, as well as a social premium, which is basically free money to be used in their communities. And now that’s going to benefit the Belize Cane Farmers Association.
Sugar refiner and sweetener producer Tate & Lyle announced on Saturday it has begun to switch to the Fair Trade label, with the first products coming from Belize. In dollars and cents that means a minimum of $6 million to be paid in the premium. This will be used by the Cane Farmers Association to help out farmer for example with subsidized agro-products such as fertilizers and pesticides. The first shipment of sugar to the European Union for this season ahs already left and the first premium check for 840,000 should be here shortly. According to accountant Adonai Blanco, it’s a wonderful opportunity to get a lot done, including working on the long – neglected sugar roads.
