As we've been reporting, Corona Extra Beer has been imported legally Belize and it hit the market this weekend. We saw that the beer - sporting a flimsy "Belize market" sticker arrived in San Pedro on Saturday. One island watering hole was offering it for $10.50 per bottle. That's pretty steep for 12 ounces of Mexican brew, but as we have reported, because it is imported from Guatemala - and not CARICOM - the beers pay maximum import duties. It is expected to retail for a lower price in other areas, but probably not much less than $8 dollars per bottle.
In this first order, the importer Goliath was permitted to bring in 1,500 cases. The CEO in the Ministry of Agriculture says they paid 194,000 dollars in duties for that volume.
Critics say the sticker can be easily copied or falsified and it will open the door wide open for contraband Corona, while making enforcement more difficult.
