High-End Mexican Market Within Reach for Belize Beef

Belize’s cattle industry could be on the verge of something much bigger and the opportunity may be just across the border. Former Agriculture Minister Jose Mai, a cattle rancher himself, believes local producers are ready to tap into Mexico’s high-end beef market. He points to a successful trial conducted right here in Belize that proved ranchers can produce the kind of premium-quality beef that niche buyers in Mexico are looking for. According to Mai, the demand is already there, the question now is whether Belizean farmers are prepared to scale up and cash in.

 

Jose Mai, Former Minister of Agriculture

“This is an experiment by two friends, and these guys are pioneers in the industry. Abram Froese, he was a member of BLPA, and he continues push for this type of experiment for the cattle industry to boom. Our next colleague, Henry Peters, he owns a feed lot. And when we were in Tesumin. Rember they say I cant go to Mexico, but I did go to Mexico at the cattle show and we met some people from Guatemala and they were saying why don’t you raise some Akaushi or the other Japanese breed in Belize and sell them back to me. It is a niche market, because that is not a cheap meet. It is a very expensive meat.  They were the first to jump on it, because its very expensive. Mr. Froese did his AI in some of his cows and the first animal that was born, they raised them and put them in feed lots and they invited me to join them in the cookout to see the quality and palatability. Unfortunately I fell ill, I had to be hospitalized. But I did see the photographs and the quality and I said, oh my goodness, this is a great thing.”

 

Mai says taking full advantage of Belize’s cattle export potential would require the establishment of a state-of-the-art in-country slaughterhouse.

 

From Mai’s Back Surgery to Knee Operation: What Changed?

 

Six months after Jose Mai stepped away from the Ministry of Agriculture, the questions haven’t gone away, they’ve only grown louder. At the time, his resignation sparked speculation that external pressure may have forced his hand. But Prime Minister John Briceño quickly shut that down, saying Mai was dealing with serious health issues and needed back surgery. Fast forward to today, and that explanation is raising eyebrows. Mai has undergone surgery, but not on his back. Instead, it was a right knee procedure in Guatemala. So how did the story shift from back problems to a knee operation? And what’s behind the apparent disconnect? With the timeline now under scrutiny and recent comments from the prime minister about Mai walking with a limp, we went straight to Mai himself to get some answers.

 

Jose Mai, Former Minister of Agriculture

“So when I went to Guatemala, both doctors, father and son, they did an evaluation and said, your posture is different. You seem to walk humped; you seem to lean on one side. They said there is a reason for that. When you walk on one side you are putting a strain on your vertebrate. This could be the reason why do herniate disk and a dislocated disk, because you are putting your weight on one side and that will always give you pain. So, you have pain in your hips and legs. And one of the reasons is I was probably born bowlegged. The doctor was of the opinion that if you can correct your posture, do surge4ry and correct your posture and do therapy you can live with it. So, that was my hope. That would remain good.”

 

Mai says shortly after the surgery, he began experiencing excruciating in the right knee. He was then informed that the second leg was compensating and that additional therapy will correct the issue.

 

Jose Mai Still Influencing Agriculture from the Sidelines

 

Even out of office, Jose Mai isn’t exactly out of the picture. Six months after leaving the Ministry of Agriculture, the former minister says he’s still plugged in, literally, remaining in the ministry’s WhatsApp group and offering advice behind the scenes. So, is he still quietly shaping decisions? And how does he rate the performance of his successor, Rodwell Ferguson? Mai says he keeps a close eye on development and doesn’t hesitate to share his input when it matters.

 

Jose Mai, Former Minister of Agriculture

“Minister Rodwell is holding the fort very well. He is doing very well. He has an excellent technical team, and any leader is only as good as the people you surround yourself with. And I would comment on the chat group frequently or as I see fit and I would give my comment or advice. We don’t have any problems. So, most of the staff respect my position, my views on agriculture. They know I am an agronomist, I have worked in it so long. I am a farmer and people look up to me as someone that is involved, intrenched in agriculture and its in my vein. I cant get it out sorry. My son is also now an agronomist. So, it is in us and whatever I can do to help.”

 

Mai says he expects that he will return to the Ministry of Agriculture after at least eight months in recovery.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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