And while this new permit is sure to cause some sugar shock in the cane industry, the Briceno Administration is reporting that their restoration of cattle export routes with neighboring Guatemala has caused a much-needed infusion in revenue.
In their first hundred days in office, the Briceno government re-established that backdoor trade, which the previous administration halted last year.
Well, Agriculture Minister Jose Mai told his colleagues in parliament today that a little more than 20,000 heads of cattle have been exported for total earnings of just under 30 million dollars to Belizean ranchers:
Hon. Jose Mai - Minister of Agriculture, Food Security & Enterprise
"Since November 12th, 2020, up to April 6th, 2021, 162 days, the country has exported 20,543 heads of cattle through the western borders, and 3,716 heads of cattle through the southern borders at Jalacte. This exportation has generated 29 million, 581 thousand 920 dollars for cattle farmers and this country. We can round that off to 30 million Madam Speaker. The cattle industry is next to the sugar industry. Orange Walk is the largest producer of cattle in the country. Our exports, well-managed, can be as high as 50 million dollars annually. That is why the Ministry's director, the new director of livestock, is developing a comprehensive, national plan that will see the industry grow. How can anyone in their right state of mind stop the exportation of cattle? How could anyone deprive farmers of generating 30 million dollars?"
