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We've told you about the shame of Belize being forced to import sugar due to local supplies being smuggled across the border. Well, the country's. other sugar producer, Santander, who's not allowed to sell sugar locally, also feels that pain. They say they have Belizean sugar available and would like a chance to sell it locally.
A statement says "The shortage of sugar in Belize is one of great concern especially knowing that Belize is the largest sugar producing country in the Caribbean. The decreased availability of sugar in our local market is a problem that Santander Sugar Group can provide an almost immediate solution to. We have started our 2024 harvesting season without a hitch and will be producing the types of sugar as dictated by the demands of the market…..and (are) certainly able to provide sugar in the local market if granted a quota…"
And they say if they get a quota, it would be supplied at a lower cost than the imported refined sugar. ASR/BSI imported 250 metric tonnes of refined domino sugar from the USA - with a retail price of $1.,50 to $1.60 per pound.
So, while it may have cheaper sugar, it seems no one in government is listening to them and Santander says it, quote, "remains available to having an official conversation with the decision makers regarding the supply of sugar to Belizeans as a long-term solution."
We note that Santander has tried more than a few times to get their sugar on the local market and it has been rejected by successive administrations.
