AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Belize Life Living in Belize Vegetable import ban

Thinking back to my days in Cayo during the mid 80's we had an abundance of fresh vegetables, that weren't imported. Getting up at 5AM to hit the central market will always be a fond memory (not). Nevertheless, we all ate very good as did the entire nation. Perhaps distribution is an issue? When you Buy Belize you Build Belize. Learn to feed the tourists what is produced in Belize, I think they may really like it. If not, Cancun has a Ruth's Chris with at the fixings (100% grown in Mexico).

It is amazing what can be grown here on the island. I had always heard differently. I and my neighbors have planted Mango, avocado, lime and papaya trees. I have been eating them most delicious home grown tomatoes and all kinds of peppers for a couple of months now. The melons are blooming.
It is fascinating to see how fast things grown here. I have a well so water is not a problem but the iguanas are. My dogs work all day keeping them out of the garden; gives the dogs something to chase instead of people. (That's an inside joke for people who don't like my dog.)
Growing up in Oregon we produced most of our own food. Subsistence living is a way of life for the poor; it is a luxury for the not poor. As a species we tend to be lazy and let other people do the hard/dirty work and often take pride in this and miss the joy of providing for ourselves.

I found this interesting from the Statistical Institute of Belize. It seems our exports are increasing faster than our imports. I have yet to find out what % our population has increased by to see any relation.

" Belize's expenditure on imports in February 2008 amounted to $109.24 million. This represents an increase of $4.3 million or 4.1% over February 2007.

Exports earnings in February 2008 expanded by 29.6% to $73.8 million over the same month last year. "

For details, I saved a copy of the bulletin here: http://www.78746.com/Feb2008tradebulletin.pdf

Good thing that other countries haven't returned the favor by banning importation of food products from Belize!
Making it illegal to eat a strawberry and (as is actually the case) classifing any soft drink that is not a product of the Coca Cola license holder as contrabande is not very smart, unless of course you wish to protect certain people's interests. Sort of old-style communist economy controlled by a few capitalists. Well, I guess it makes sense to someone...

On that note: http://uk.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUKN2338316520080423

Sounds like a good way to increase business for sugar cane farmers in Belize.

A centrally controlled economy has been tried lots of times around the world & I don't think has ever worked anywhere, not for long. All that happens is that certain favoured individuals get very rich.

...about a year ago I had the pleasure of serving a wonderful dinner here at our restaurant to one of the (then sitting) ministers of Belize. Halfway through the meal, I pointed out to him all of the things that he and his wife were enjoying that were contraband. Simulataneously funny and frustrating/sad.

For a young country that has already ammassed an impressive history of shortsighted (and goverened by self interest) decisions, this new "ban on imported vegetables certainly is ranks near the top. Do people realize here just HOW MANY vegetables are imported. And I'm not talking about "exotic" varieties, I'm talking about decent looking carrots, potatoes, avocados, mangos, etc... Do you know how often we call one of the "hydroponic supplies" applauded above to be told they are out of mint, basil, etc... There are times of the year every year when Belize is always out of white onions. The list of frustrations goes on and on...

Yes, Belize can grow a lot of produce.... Cayo is certainly blessed in that deptartment (perhaps transportation of produce out here to the Cayes is one of the hurdles the country needs to overcome?) And sure, you can produce stuff on the island... We have a small farm up north that produces plantains, habanero, basil, limes, etc (or did until hurricane Dean blew through.) Does this mean that there should be an across the board ban on imports? Hardly.

Pedro2 is dead on that tourists are going to look elsewhere... Not to slight the agriculture industry, but in case the UDP did not notice, Belize is slightly dependent upon tourism. Perhaps Honorable Montero might want to consult with the tourism sector before implementing new sweeping and total policies that will affect it.

...it's actually rather funny explaining to tourists that the avocado they are enjoying is illegal.

This ban cannot last though... and even it it does, people will work around it, just as they do now.

So I'm typing this in a restuarant running on generator because the island/country cannot keep the power on... It went out 1/2 way through our dinner service this eve... Perhaps the GOB should tackle the larger issues first (infrastructure, utilities, etc) and worry about mangos from MX and Strawberries from CA later... in the meantime, TAX the imports... heck, why not let ANYONE bring in ANYTHING they want and simply tax it, then put that $ to good use (rather than someone's pocket.)

pssst......just got in some killer onions dude......shhh.....I'll hook you up, keep it on the "dl".

Right on Jeff!
It is beyond pathetic to think that banning the import of products that sell to tourists at a profit will help solving any problems. I guess someone thinks that importing is bad, but if you sell the imported goods at a profit in a country that is mainly surviving on reselling such products to tourists that bring in foreign currency that (unlike the Belize Dollar) is a recognized currency in the international community, it can only be good.
Overall, I am just simply embarrassed by the thought of having to tell my friends and visitors that mushrooms, avocado, Pepsi Cola, apples, grapes etc. are banned by law in a free and democratic country. Something's rotten here, and it ain't just the local veggies!