The citrus industry in Belize has reported that it lost 16.5 million dollars due to Hurricane Earl. Industry stakeholders met with the Ministry of Agriculture where they totaled the loss at 569,444 boxes of oranges and 133,585 boxes of grapefruit.
Growers say they need to re-fertilize groves to put back leaves that were lost due to "wind whip." On August 18, the industry sent out a release, making it public that they are asking the government for financial assistance to help growers. They also want the Central Bank to make the commercial banks and lending institutions restructure loans. They are also asking the government for a two year moratorium on land tax payments, duty free diesel, and faster GST reimbursements.
There's no response from the government yet, but from past experience it doesn't look promising; the equally devastated banana industry asked for help and the government's standing position is that it is strapped for cash and cannot help.
Source: 7newsbelize.com
