And maybe one day, Belize will be exporting ostrich meat…
But for now, there is a major trade imbalance between imports and exports, with the former reaching historical heights, and the latter falling behind. But if you talk to the Minister of Agriculture, you'll hear how well industries like cattle and soybean are doing. But is it being reflected in the numbers?
We asked the Minister if the productive sector is failing.
Jose Mai, Minister of Agriculture
"I think what is reflected here is not that the amount of imports increased but that the value because of the inflation so if I was importing one container of, let's say, baking powder today, I'm still importing it today but that value has gone up because of the inflation, worldwide inflation, so it appears that, monetary wise, yes it's increased, but the same amount has come in but it's because of the inflation that has occurred."
"We are trying, we in the ministry side, are now focused on the cost of producing something, what is the cost of producing a pound of potato, what is the cost of producing a pound of sweet pepper or tomatoes, I mean you hear everyday, oh the price is expensive, but really and truly the price of agro inputs has increased tremendously and so it has to reflect in the farmer's price, I mean, you go to a store right now with a $100, you can't even see it, you come back and check your receipt if it's correct, it's a worldwide phenomenon even though Belize has recorded in the region one of the lowest, 8% I think, others are like 100%, 20%, 18%, but even so, people are feeling it and our responsibility as government is to do something, try to do something, that's exactly what we're trying to do, that's why we pass the legislation in the House, and anti-gouging law."
