And, of course, one way of keeping those prices down is to reduce the cost of inputs - the main one being flour. Now, that isn't easy with world wheat prices soaring because Russia and Ukraine make up around one-third of the world's wheat production - and they are at war, causing all kinds of supply shortages.
But, Minister Mai said one idea that has been floated is to bypass ADM Belize Mills - and let imported flour come in. That sounds like a stark deviation from established convention to protect the local producer - and Mai only seemed willing to flirt with the idea:
Hon. Jose Mai - Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise
"We have to look at the cases individually, for example importing flour, that has the highest duty, something like 70 something percent, that was probably done in the past to protect the local miller but we are looking even at that angle, what do we do? If we lower that how will it affect the local mill?"
Jules Vasquez
"But if I heard you right, you are actually thinking of allowing the importation of flour that has been contra-banded to Belize in many years in the north, you will know this but you are actually thinking of relaxing the tariffs on imported flour?"
Hon. Jose Mai
"No, I'm just saying that these are the things we are faced with. People come to you and say why don't you drop the price of this, nothing will be done arbitrarily Jules, it has to be carefully studied, every action has a reaction, we have to look at all angles, we have to look at the producer and the consumer. So, our decision is going to be based on research, consultation and careful analysis."
