The spiralling cost of inputs is likely to lead to contraction in the Belize citrus industry, its leaders are warning.

Luis Tzul, grower services co-ordinator of the Belize Citrus Growers’ Association, is warning that, with a barrel of oil breaking records at $120 (£61.40), inefficient farms could see their businesses fail. “It is time to consider some hard decisions for the survival of citrus farms,” said Tzul. “The alternative is simple: go out of business.”

Citrus growers in Belize have seen the cost of their four main agri-chemicals increase year on year by 20, 24, 86 and 200 per cent each, as well as demands from workers for increased wages. “This year grapefruit prices have plummeted to a low of BZ$3.53 (£0.90) a box,” said Tzul. “Some growers did not even bother to pick their fruit, since doing so could get them deeper into debt.”

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