Economy - Greater Belize Media

High Cost of Food Locally Now Main Driver of Inflation

Despite the significant post-pandemic boost in the country’s G.D.P., Belize is still wrestling with inflation. However, there’s been a shift in what’s driving this inflation. Previously, Belize was importing inflation. Now, according to the Central Bank, over sixty percent of Belize’s inflation is influenced by domestic prices, particularly the cost of locally produced food.

Kareem Michael, Governor, Central Bank

“Inflation has retreated from its 2022 peak of six-point three percent. We are at the red dotted line, to three-point six percent. It is expected to dip further to around three percent below in 2025. This range may be the new normal, two to three percent. Inflation experience has not been unique to Belize, but all countries have grappled with higher inflation since 2021. We see that in 2021, and 2022 inflation was largely externally driven, imported through fuel and other imported food items. This accounted for sixty-five percent of inflation. This trend flipped in 2023. With increases in the prices of domestically produced food items alone contributing to forty-four-point two percent of inflation. Adding, in services and domestically generated inflation accounted for sixty-two percent of inflation in 2023. This will persist in 2024 with the domestic component largely reflecting local food cost, restaurant food cost, and to a lesser extent home rental costs contributing to sixty-three percent of total inflation.”

Eradicating Single-use Plastic on the Campuses of Belize

At the beginning of the year, Wesley Junior College jumped into the Plastic Tide Turners Challenge, a worldwide youth initiative aimed at tackling plastic pollution by spreading awareness and taking action in their communities. Teaming up with the Sea of Life Organization, students got tech-savvy, using technology to clean up their campus and conduct waste audits. Fast forward nearly a year, and the school is making impressive strides toward eliminating single-use plastics on campus. We visited the school today to catch up on their progress. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with story.

Britney Gordon

Wesley Junior College is making great progress in cutting down on single-use plastics on campus. Back in January, students rolled up their sleeves for a campus cleanup and used the Trash Blitz app to track the most common litter. Since then, they’ve installed a refillable water station and stopped selling plastic water bags on campus. Paulita Bennett-Martin, the Director of Programs at Sea of Life, shared that they’ve conducted four Trash Blitz exercises since then, and the results are looking very promising.

Paulita Bennett-Martin, Director of Programs, Sea of Life

“We’ve done four waste audits on the campus and back last time you were here, we were finding hundreds of the shilling water or ideals pouches, right? And now I will say that number has decreased dramatically. I can’t give that number because we’re gonna have a report in February that tracks waste across the nation. But we’re seeing huge improvements to the amount of single use plastic water pollution on campus. And we’re also starting to see more awareness of plastic pollution as a whole because we’re also incorporating murals on the campus. We’re also doing classroom education. So there’s a few different things happening in addition to the refillable campus.”

To further increase awareness about the projects, the school partnered with local artist Keon Griffith, who was commissioned to paint three murals on the outside of the school. He has been working on the murals for about a month.

Keon Griffith, Artist

“It’s more like a give back type of stuff. So I asked her that, yes, I know you want a concept with this, but I think instead of formulating a concept, let’s just go on the school grounds and engage with these students and Let me bring in a photographer to capture these pictures so I can fully showcase my talent and fully be comfortable with the style that I do so we can have the best results partnering for this campaign. So that’s what we’re doing out here. So there is real students, actual students that goes to the school here. It’s on, it’s plastered on the wall, big, lifelike. And they love so far. They love the interaction is nice with the students engaging with the mural passing, identifying their classmates, so it’s nice.”

A key part of the project is getting young people excited about conservation. Fourth-form student Kayla Choc shares that she’s made a big effort to cut down on single-use plastics in her daily life.

Kayla Choc, Student, Wesley Junior College

“I’ve grown to know that single-use plastic is making our environment unhealthy, where it’s an unhealthy space to learn in, and if we have a healthier space to learn in, we can be more open-minded about what’s going on. And not only that, but we’re against this, we’re, our school is right across by the sea. It’s our neighbor. So we want to not only think about us, But think about the sea life. So those are some stuff that I’ve learned.”

Tyrone Harris, the Head of the Science Department, assured us that the campus water is top-notch, thanks to a reverse-osmosis process that filters out all sediments and purifies it. Plus, the school has exciting plans to install a second water fountain in the coming months.

Tyrone Harris, Department of Science, Wesley Junior College

“We definitely want them to be more aware and so it’s the goal of having them being aware of having a clean environment, having participating in conservation and also being an institution that is near the sea, have a care for the marine ecosystems and the flora and the fauna that play a vital role in us surviving, providing food and also jobs as well.”

With more funding, Sea of Life hopes to expand this project to other schools across the country. Britney Gordon for News Five.

Tackling Belize’s Pollution Problem Through Technology

Screwworm Detected in Mexico; What does it Mean for Belize?

On Sunday, the Mexican government announced that the U.S. has hit the pause button on importing Mexican cattle. This decision came after a case of New World screwworm was found in the lakeside town of Catazaja, located in southern Chiapas. On Friday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture shared that Mexico’s top vet had alerted them about a screwworm found in a cow at a checkpoint near the Guatemala border. These pesky maggots sneak in through open wounds and feast on the living flesh of warm-blooded animals, including humans. The USDA cautioned that these infestations can be tricky to spot initially but can show up as growing wounds, creamy larvae, and signs of discomfort. So, what does this mean for Belize and its cattle industry? Earlier today, we had a chat with Fermin Blanco, the country rep for OIRSA in Belize, to get the scoop.

On the phone: Fermin Blanco, Country Representative, OIRSA

“The detection of that screwworm fly in Mexico has put everybody on alert because of damages that it causes, but that ban that the US puts on Mexico, that stays between both countries. In our case, we export to Mexico. Belize is still free of screwworm, so our protocols for exportation remains the same until there is a detection in Belize then the whole protocol will change and they will add in more restrictions. Since CENASICA knew of the detection in Guatemala, they have heightened their protocols, they have increased their inspections and sanitation and everything that it’s kind of difficult for export from Guatemala to Mexico, but because Guatemala has reported officially the presence of the screwworm. Belize has not, up to now, we are still free. In the region, the OIRSA region, El Salvador and Belize are still free, so our protocols for export to Mexico remains the same, unless there is a detection which we don’t have at the moment.”

Isani Cayetano

“What changes in respect of the protocols should there be a detection in Belize?”

Fermin Blanco

“CENASICA has indicated that they might heighten sanitary measures which will include each animal being inspected and has to be certified free of any wound, any ticks, any flies that can attract the flies. Plus, they’ll have to spray the animals with insecticides, including an ivermectin injection to guarantee that the fly does not travel with the animals. That protocol is not in place for Belize. That protocol has been placed for animals in Guatemala that’s coming in from that area to Mexico.”

Crooked Tree Parent Says Students are Struggling to get to School

Students in Crooked Tree Village are having a tough time getting to school. Last week, during our extensive coverage of the flooding across Belize caused by Tropical Storm Sara, we showed you how residents had to use boats to get in and out of the village. This week, the struggle continues, and it’s the students who are feeling it the most. Today, we spoke with Steve Anthony Perriott, a Crooked Tree resident and parent of a student at Edward P. York High School. He shared his hopes for his child and all the other students in the community.

Steve Anthony Perriott, Resident, Crooked Tree

“It’s just getting around the village around the village. It’s the idea that life stops for us, literally, when we have to get Coast Guard and BDF to come into the village. First of all, we want to say enough respect and thank you to the Coast Guard and to the BDF for coming every time. Respect to the MIDH too, because they raised the road up to five feet in some places. And even with the road raised, the water is like two and a half feet in some places above the road. The reason why that is because we have two small bridges. Sixteen feet of opening to flush out this whole lagoon. That’s not enough. It’s a half a mile lagoon, so we need a better drainage for the lagoon. What happened is that I heard the chairman mention that, is it, what’s the place back there? New River or something? That could be a drainage for crooked tree but that’s blocked. So what he’s proposing is that we dig a channel so that could help drain crooked tree. Because the road is higher, the water come in even more, into the village. Normally, before the road was raised, when the water got to a level, the Audubon building used to be the place for the Coast Guard and the BDF. Now what we find out is that, because the roads, the road has been raised, when the flood come, the water come in all the way to the Baptist Church. So now, that should be designated. for the BDF and Coast Guard in times of emergency. The next thing is with the kids. These kids have to get up at three o’clock every morning. They have to get out there four thirty to try to get a boat. There’s like sixty kids at least. Now, a boat carries twenty. One carry eight and one carry six. And for a few days, you know, the kids have been missing the boat. I believe the chairman along with the Coast Guard and the BDF, they worked out something so that the kids are getting there on time. But the problem is they shouldn’t even have to go to school in any of the rural areas or any place that have flooding like this. The kids should be getting home schooling, you know, because if you get up at three o’clock by the time you get to school, you know, you’re in no way for one to learn.”

Crooked Tree Resident Pleads for Long-Term Flood Relief Efforts

While the residents of Crooked Tree appreciate the government’s efforts to ease the challenges of getting in and out of the village, they’re still hoping for long-term solutions. Resident Steve Anthony Perriott shared that villagers face significant hardships after every storm. He emphasized the need for better solutions to reduce the struggles faced by the younger generations.

Steve Anthony Perriott, Resident, Crooked Tree

“The kids were trying to get to school because the Ministry of Education failed to put out any directive on the kids that are in the flooded areas. So they had kids getting up, lining up out there, you know, bare feet and eventually some of them missed the bus or they missed the boat. So that was a problem. But again, we act surprised. And when I say we, I mean everybody in flooded areas. We act surprised when this happen. This is happening a lot. So, I watch people trying to figure out where the water gonna go. We know where it’s gonna go. We know how long it’s gonna take to get there. But every time the water go down, we forget about it. We go about, and the next time it happen, we surprised again.”

Should Crooked Tree Lagoon Connect to New River?

Unanticipated Flooding in Burrell Boom, Villagers Forced to Evacuate

Earlier this month, Tropical Storm Sara unleashed heavy downpours across the country, causing severe flooding in Northern and Western Belize. After two weeks, the floodwaters made their way down to Burrell Boom, rapidly inundating residential areas and roads. Today, News Five’s Britney Gordon caught up with some of the villagers who have been forced to leave their homes as the waters continue to rise.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Residents of Burrell Boom are evacuating as excessive flooding takes its toll. As of today, one of the three main entrances to the village is completely inaccessible, and water levels are steadily rising at the other two. Village Councilor Ellis Metzgen shared some insights on the ongoing relief efforts to help those affected.

Ellis Metzgen, Councilor, Burrell Boom

“The relief efforts began early Thursday morning when me and the rest of the council we decided to take a early look at all this water that we know was up west of the country in Cayo and has to come down this side. We started with some preliminary work by first off setting up that marker over that side to at least give us a rough idea of how quick the water is coming up. Apart from that, then we teamed up along with the Segura family to ensure that they started getting all their appliances and any stuff that could potentially be damaged from water up to higher grounds, and then started to prepare the initial hurricane shelter that we were utilizing, and then thereafter we moved them to a more comfortable place.”

Residents knew there was a risk of flooding, but they never expected this much water without any rainfall. The village council’s marker shows that nearly four feet of water has poured in since Thursday, and it’s still rising. Carolee Staine, who lives right across from the river, hasn’t seen the river water reach her property yet, but the pond water has already made its way into her home.

Carolee Staine, Resident, Burrel Boom

“Oh my goodness. I’m not even sure I’m going to find the right words. It’s just so much water. I’m still here because honestly, we didn’t expect it to come this high. We were hopeful. I was hopeful up until this morning. I did evacuate some of my stuff yesterday and I said that I would put some on cement blocks. But apparently, that’s not going to work. I already have water about two inches of water inside my house. And so we have to move everything from inside.”

Staine explains that residents anticipate some flooding every year. However, she has never witnessed flooding of this intensity without rainfall.

Carolee Staine

“I keep asking my uncle, like, how is the water in Cayo? As that the water has to come down. And that’s what we’re always waiting on. But like you said, rain usually accompanies it. And without the rain, I guess that’s why everybody was saying it wouldn’t come this high. We don’t have anything to worry about.”

The water level is rising at an alarming rate as it flows into the Belize River and a nearby pond. Resident Selvin Segura shared that at least three feet of water have already flooded his house, forcing his wife and children to evacuate. Meanwhile, he’s staying behind to help his neighbors with his boat.

Selvin Segura Sr., Resident, Burrell Boom

“Well, every day since the water come up. When the vehicle ney can’t get across the water on both ends. From this end and the roundabout on the other end, then we just take the dory. Today, one of my sons is going to take the other canoe today round at that other end over the side to traverse people.”

Helping his neighbors with his dory is something Segura does regularly whenever a storm hits. However, even he was caught off guard by the severity of this year’s flood.

Selvin Segura Sr

“Well the height, I never expect the height. We know wa big capacity of water coming down sake of the weather weh passed the other day but we don’t know what amount what capacity of water wa come up what volume of water will come up until it reach right.”

As the waters continue to rise, so do the concerns of residents over whether they will be able to enter and leave the village in the oncoming days.

Ellis Metzgen

“It’s not recommendable for any vehicles or anything to pass through here. Along the bypass, the water is also raising consistently I would assume by this evening or early tomorrow morning that area will as well become impassable for small cars and pickups. And then coming from the west side through Hattieville, the water is already across the road by the garbage dump and it’s rising a bit as well too. So we have to continue to monitor over that side as well.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Flooding In Lords Bank Causes Trouble for Low-Lying Houses

The floodwaters making their way into the Belize District have also impacted residents of Lords Bank Village. Those living near the Belize River and in low-lying areas are the hardest hit. Several feet of water have turned some houses into islands, forcing villagers to evacuate. Earlier today, we spoke with an elderly resident who shared that, although the water hasn’t entered his home, he’s finding it difficult to navigate his own front yard. Here’s more on that.

Albert Watler, Resident, Lords Bank

“Everything was cool until when the storm come down, you know? When the rain started to come. But when it start rain hard, we done know it di flood from uo yonder. So everything weh come down ya da fi we.”

Britney Gordon

“About how long you di see the flooding in this area now?”

Albert Watler

“Bout four five days. Ih di go now, it seem.”

Britney Gordon

“And it’s made its way inside your house?”

Albert Watler

“No. no, fi we house dry. And so, what you’ve seen for your neighbors, uh, about how high is it in the neighbors that have low houses?”

Britney Gordon

“Has it been difficult to go in and out of your yards?”

Albert Watler

“Yeah, very very [difficult].”

Britney Gordon

“How long do you think it will be until the water goes down?”

Albert Watler

“I da seh bout five days more. Five days maybe, once ih noh rain it gwen down.”

Britney Gordon

“There are some areas where the water has made its way above their porches.”

Albert Watler

“Yeah I know. When the hurricane mi come wa time deh up deh but ney had a boat way ya di come. But ih noh get to that height yet.”

Britney Gordon

“So you guys are good here, but for those people?”

Albert Watler

“Yeah ney wa suffer lee bit. Have to.”

Thea Garcia Acknowledges Special Needs Athlete’s Discipline

Jair Hernandez, a special education student at Mary Hill Roman Catholic School in Corozal, made Belize proud this week by bringing home not one, but three gold medals from the CODICADER Special Olympics in Panama. On Monday night, the streets of Corozal Town were lined with residents eager to welcome Jair back. Among them was Garcia-Ramirez, a political aspirant and long-time resident of Corozal, who has known Jair and his family for years. She shared that his success is a testament to his strict discipline and dedication.

Thea Garcia-Ramirez, P.U.P. Standard Bearer, Corozal Bay

“Jair’s father used to run with him every day for, for training from the village of Xaibe up to where the Philip Goldson Highway is just to train every day with him. They were super excited. We expected him to do well, and we are proud. Corozal is proud of Jair. Three gold medals. I think it’s important because I believe in an inclusive society. I believe wholeheartedly that these children need not only our love and support, but even more so because they are differently abled and being differently abled doesn’t mean that you can’t do things just to do it in a slightly different manner and you need maybe different kinds of support.”

What are Belizeans Paying for Christmas Ham This Year?

On Wednesday, a picture of a Christmas ham went viral on social media in Belize. At first glance, it seemed harmless, but people quickly noticed the hefty three-hundred-and-twenty-dollar price tag. This ham, produced by Running W and sold at Brodie’s supermarket for seventeen dollars and ninety-five cents per pound, sparked concerns about the rising cost of ham as Christmas approaches. Today, News Five’s Britney Gordon chatted with a few Belize City butchers to find out what Belizeans can expect to pay for their holiday ham this season.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Every Belizean knows that a true local Christmas dinner isn’t complete without a generous slice of Christmas ham. With the holiday season just around the corner, many are on the hunt for an affordable ham to complete their festive feast. Today, we chatted with the owner of Campos Smiling Meats on New Road to find out what customers can expect to pay.

Alyssa Campus, Owner, Campos Smiling Meats

“So this year we’re, thank God the hams aren’t expensive. So we’re doing picnic hams at six fifty a pound. And we’re doing the leg hams at eight fifty a pound. But I mean, if you’re a company and you’re gonna buy, I mean, a nice amount, we could definitely do a wholesale price on that. It’s not a problem. There’s also going to be boneless hams because there’s, you know, some people don’t like the bone and the skin and all of that. We will have those available.”

Smiling Meats also caters to those who don’t eat pork by offering turkey ham. The owner mentioned that her customers often opt for picnic hams because they’re more budget friendly.

Alyssa Campus

“The most popular one would be the picnics because it’s affordable. They could come in smaller sizes rather than getting the big ones. Like if it’s a family of two, most people would go for the picnics. So we will have those available too.”

When we visited Southside Meats on Albert Street, we found their prices to be a bit higher than those at Smiling Meats. However, Ashlee Habet, the Director of Southside Meats, assured us that every purchase can be customized to fit the customer’s budget.

Ashlee Habet, Director, Southside Meats

“For the Christmas hams, we have four kinds of hams that we make here in-house. We have two ham legs, bone-in, boneless. We also have smoked pork loin, and shoulder picnic ham as well the hams range, we have a variety of hams that range. So the ham is from eleven to eighteen. However, if the customers do have a budget, they can tell us what their budget is and we can cut the hams to suit their budget range.”

Habet mentioned that they offer Christmas hams year-round because they’re a popular and convenient choice for events like weddings and parties.

Ashlee Habet

“So for people who like meat, we would recommend the boneless ham loin or the bone-in ham leg, which has a long, narrow bone. The bone will also have the picnic shoulder ham for those who like a little bit more fat, um, and a little bit more marbling in their hands.”

While the seventeen dollars may seem too high of a price to pay for ham, butchers explain that it depends largely on the cut and size of the meat.

Britney Gordon for News Five.

How do Belizeans Feel About the Price of Christmas Ham

Earlier, we shared a butcher’s perspective on ham prices and highlighted some locations in Belize City where you can snag a decent slice for your plate. But the big question remains: can Belizeans afford to buy ham this season? To find out, we hit the streets to get their thoughts on ham prices. Here’s what they had to say.

Benita Palacio

“What do you have to say to the people preparing for Christmas having to pay a higher amount now for ham?”

Belizean

“Once a year, I would say that’s once a year,’

Benita Palacio

“But what about those people who stick to a paycheck to paycheck life?”

Belizean

“That’s a good one.”

Benita Palacio

“If you can’t afford the ham? You wouldn’t substitute it?”

Belizean

“Yes I would substitute it.”

Benita Palacio

“What you would substitute it with?”

Belizean

“Well normally people but Dak Ham or something else. Just something.”

Benita Palacio

“What if you can’t afford it this year because ham gone up?”

Belizean

“Well I wa have to depend pan mi area fi mi free ham.”

Benita Palacio

“So you wouldn’t substitute your ham?”

Belizean

“Noh really.”

Benita Palacio

“So you wa try do your best to find a ham?”

Belizean

“Find a ham. But like I said, the ham weh da right fah yeah cost more than the ham weh da from next place.”

Benita Palacio

“Weh next place.”

Belizean

“Imported and exported ham.”

Benita Palacio

“So the ham weh we produce here in the country cost more? You noh think it should be in reverse?”

Belizean

“Maybe eleven dollars and change per pound compared to the next one weh da maybe like five ninety-nine.”

Benita Palacio

“So what you’re saying is that when you buy it imported, you normally get it at cheaper price?”

Belizean

“Yes ma’am. Because I could afford it, and it nice to.”

Benita Palacio

“Would you substitute the ham this year for something else that is more affordable?”

Belizean

“Maybe yes, with tamales and everything.”

Benita Palacio

“Did you hear anything about the ham price these days?”

Belizean

“Well I hear about it but my concern, I celebrate thanksgiving and hen I buy ham, da fi me and mi family/ From Southside minimarket.”

Benita Palacio

“So what’s the budget you stick with?”

Belizean

“I stick with sixty dollars for my ham. Da weh I get from Southside.”

Benita Palacio

“How much pound of ham that?”

Belizean

“That da three pound.”

Benita Palacio

“Three pound. Fi how much?”

Belizean

“Sixty dollars.”

Benita Palacio

“So you stick to that amount and done?”

Belizean

“Yes from Southside minimarket.”

Benita Palacio

“What if the ham gone up and you get less pound now?”

Belizean

“Well if it gone up, better I go look fi wa turte or wa hiccitee or wa two chicken.”

Benita Palacio

“So you wouldn’t waste your time getting a ham?”

Belizean

“Well I only eat ham once a year for thanksgiving. Cuz I no really celebrate Christmas. Iwould not pay that because if you got fifty dollars, it done right away”