ASR/BSI Booklet Illustrates Proposed Amendments to Agreement with Cane Farmers

In agriculture and agro-processing news, A.S.R./B.S.I. has submitted a rationale to the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association for its proposed amendments to their commercial agreement. B.S.I.’s proposal includes the implementation of a fair-trade compliance clause that fair-trade sugar premiums made from sugar sales are to be paid directly to the respective farmers. Additionally, a proposal is being made to bind both parties to the new commercial agreement through to January 2029. B.S.I. further proposed that a terminal handling charge be added on the ocean freight charge; nothing that the company’s transition to Big Creek will reduce ocean freight by fifty dollars per metric ton. The benefit, says B.S.I., will be an increase in the production of direct consumption sugar. Also with the move to Big Creek, B.S.I. says the cost of utilizing stevedores has decreased, paving the way for the implementation of a proposed throughout fee. Despite the fee, B.S.I. argues that farmers will see savings of up to one point four million dollars. The final proposal is that of a terminal fee for onshore molasses storage. B.S.I.’s proposed commercial agreement addendums were published in a booklet form for easy reference. At their last meeting on October twenty seventh, both parties agreed to submit rationales for their respective proposals by November third. With a new commercial agreement being forged between B.S.I. and the Association, the hope is that these negotiations will conclude by December first, weeks before the reopening of the sugar crop season.