7 News Belize

Last night we told you how 1,500 cases of Corona beer have been imported into Belize legally for the first time.
It will be sold in 12 ounce bottles and came in through Guatemala on a permit granted by the Department of Supplies control.
As you heard, Belize's leading bottlers, Bowen and Bowen complain that it, quote, "creates an opportunity for thousands of illegal contraband casesâ€¦"

Speaking today via Zoom the CEO In the Ministry of Agriculture defended the permit - saying the beers will be prohibitively priced:

Servulo Baeza, CEO, Min. of Agriculture
"There was a license that was issued with certain conditions. Some concerns were raised, and so the issue in terms of the requirements that were put in place, which are basically two things. One, was that every single beer bottle that would have been imported had to have the Belize market on it, who is importing it, and the address for every single bottle."

"The other issue was the issue of duties, that they had to pay all the duties applicable under the law for this product to come in, because it's not a CARICOM product. They have paid a bit over $194,000 in duties."

"The market that they're looking at is the tourism sector. The reason why is very clear. If you're paying over $194,000 in duty for 1,500 cases, you do the math. One case of beer would have to sell over $100 a case of beer."

"Who in Cayo or Belize or Orange Walk will buy a case of beer for over $100?"

Reporter
"With this, it increases the likelihood of contraband Corona increasing, because we've always had it."

Servulo Baeza, CEO, Min. of Agriculture
"I mean, contraband is always contraband. It always exists. I mean, the product is clearly defined as one that is legal because of the Belize market, just like liquor that is contraband, just like whatever other products that are contraband."

"This issue about the market label was discussed at length with customs, and they were the ones who were saying, once it's properly labeled that we can identify which one is contraband and which one is legal, then we minimize this particular issue of contraband."

Corona is considered the biggest beer brand in the world. Up until now - Belize was the only country in Central America not to have it legally available.