7 News Belize

Rice Rivalry Heats Up
posted (December 11, 2015)
Tonight, there are three containers of Guyanese Rice waiting at the Santo Tomas port in Guatemala to be imported into Belize. It's coming before Christmas and importer Jack Charles says he will make sure it retails for 69 cents a pound - that's 50 cents less than the local rice currently sells for. But, some say that 69 cents rice may never even reach your corner store - because government won't allow it.

The Belize Agro-productive sector is calling on the public and the government to reject the rice. In a release sent today, they ask, quote: "How many Belizean farms, farmers, farmhands, millers and distribution workers will join the unemployment line as another agricultural product, Belizean rice, is removed from the products we produce here in Belize?" They argue that there are 100 local rice farmers, and more than 2000 field workers, employees, and distributors, whereas Guyanese rice - they say - "will support ONE importer and a handful of distribution workers." They challenge importer Jack Charles to invest in the local rice industry and, quote "put hundreds of Belizeans to work, instead of just a few people to distribute his Guyanese rice." End quote.

And while that's what they are saying publicly, privately we know the agro-productive sector is lobbying government very hard not to allow the rice into the country. One senior government official we spoke to told us that Charles has not applied for a BAHA Permit - and that could be a problem.

But Charles is hoping that a groundswell of popular support for cheap rice - will give him the public opinion leverage he needs to bend government's will. He has promised school feeding programs and charity NGO's rice for 50 cents a pound, and pressure group COLA has taken up the cause. Giovanni Brackett told the media yesterday that it's about price:...

Giovannie Brackett, President - COLA
"We want to take this opportunity to sound the alarm and I know that it's a very time for you all, but we plan to investigate this matter thoroughly and abreast the media of every step of the way, because we have been given several documents that we have to peruse and we will be perusing those documents and see how we will be making our argument and advocacy in the media. But if this is true that cheaper rice is coming next week and if there is a plan to confiscate it, we are completely against that."

Reporter
"Do you think it's logical for Belizeans to support rice being imported rather than buy local Belizean rice?"

Giovannie Brackett, President - COLA
"That's a very difficult question. Why is it that our people the consumers are always having had to make that decision? I know you are asking if it's logical. I would ask you is it logical to force me to buy expensive rice over cheaper rice?"

The Guyanese rice is expected to arrive sometime next week. Charles didn't want to comment today, and only said that he guarantees Belizeans that for at least two years, the price per pound on his imported rice will not exceed 69 cents per pound.

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