Lee Mark Chang Slams Rising Food Prices and Weak Economy

Area Representative for the Mesopotamia Division, Lee Mark Chang has lamented the continuous increase in prices for basic food items.  Chang declared yesterday that the sugar industry is hopeless, and that the economy in Belize is weakening significantly.  He cited the cost of butane, sliced bread, to name a few.  During his presentation yesterday at a press conference called by the Leader of the Opposition, Tracy Panton, Chang noted that the current government has failed the entire country.  Here is a snippet of his presentation.

Lee Mark Chang, Mesopotamia Area Representative: “In 2024 we already saw significant inflation that continues into 2025 and that is crippling our Belizean people. In July 2024 butane was $118 a cylinder now it is $130. That Is a 10% increase within one year and it might go up again. Bread in 2024 July it was $1.75, today it’s about $.215? That is cray for bread. Bread is going up and that’s a what 35% increase. Carrots are up 17%, lettuce, cucumber and this is only for July you know we’re not talking about the trend compared from last year to this year. Even chicken is going up. Fruits and juices are up 11.7%. Also in July water 10.7%. Imagine water is going up but not soft drinks. Don’t believe me ? Check the Amandala and the SIB report. Also of note housing is through the roof and I mean through the roof. And the economy is only getting weaker with weak overnight tourists and the agriculture sector. There is no hope for sugar in sight. Tourist hotspots are dead. DED dead. If this is the “Stay pan Track” inflation government we have we need to take them off track.”

We will have more from this week’s press conference in subsequent news reports.