We've finished the first week of January and still no date has been announced for the opening of the cane crop in the north. And of course, that is because the sugar cane industry is facing what can only be called an existential crisis - with fusarium infection and climate change severely impacting cane supply.
And that's the backdrop for an unusual prelude to the cane season where the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association and ASR/BSI today signed an addendum extending the current Commercial Agreement for another year.
Now, that's a change because for the past few years, before the start of the cane crop the two sides have been at war over the commercial agreement.
But, we are told the cane farmers may have gotten a little more than a spoonful of sugar to make this one go down and they have signed for another year - which also implies this year's crop will have a regular start.
A release from ASR/BSI says, quote "This extension will facilitate a smooth start to the 2026 Crop Season, slated to begin later this month."
