PM Defends Removal of Price Controls on Packaged Sugar

Prime Minister John Briceño is defending the government’s decision to remove price controls on certain categories of retail sugar, stressing that the policy change does not disadvantage sugarcane farmers and, in fact, creates broader opportunities within the local market.  Speaking on the issue, the Prime Minister explained that sugar sold loose by the pound remains under government price control, ensuring affordability for consumers. However, prepackaged and labeled sugar, such as one-pound or five-pound bags, is no longer regulated and can now be packaged and sold by any interested party.  According to Briceño, the adjustment is intended to open up the market while still protecting both consumers and producers.

John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “What we have done is that with the sugar being sold in bag that you go to the way for you that is controlled. What is not controlled is the one that is packaged you know with the labels and all of that and so by one pound and five pound bags that is not controlled and that is open to anybody that would want to be able to package. Santander can do it if you want to go and buy the sugar by the sack and want to package it that’s up to you.”

Reporter: Santander would have to prepackage BSI’s sugar since they can’t sell locally. 

John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “Well okay that’s another thing that would have to be discussed because remember now Santander is starting to now produce refined sugar and they have been asking to be able to sell on the local market which is something that still has to be determined.”

Reporter: The refining though is a ways off.
John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize:“I wouldn’t say a ways off, maybe in a year or two. Whenever we sell sugar on the local market the cañeros benefit one way or the other but BSI would have then what they do they’re having another business. So they buy the sugar from the cañeros and then they package it. So if they package it they are the ones that will benefit. Now if the cañeros want to buy sugar and package it for them to benefit that’s up to them.”

The Prime Minister emphasized that whenever sugar is sold on the local market, sugarcane farmers continue to benefit. He noted that while companies like BSI have traditionally purchased sugar from cane farmers and earned additional profit through packaging, the new arrangement allows farmers or other stakeholders to package sugar themselves if they choose, expanding economic participation rather than limiting it.  Addressing questions about Santander’s role, Briceño said the company is expected to begin producing refined sugar and has expressed interest in selling locally, but any decision on that matter is still under consideration. He added that refining operations could come on stream within the next year or two.  The government maintains that the revised approach balances market flexibility with farmer protection, ensuring that cane farmers benefit from every pound of sugar sold locally, regardless of who does the packaging, while encouraging competition and entrepreneurship in the sector.