In a significant departure from tradition, Belize Sugar Industries (BSI) has introduced commercially packaged sugar to the local market for the first time. The initial shipment of Domino brand products reached wholesalers on January 27, 2026, marking a transformative moment in Belize’s domestic sugar trade.
Historically, Belizeans have purchased sugar through informal channels where retailers manually repackaged bulk industrial quantities into clear plastic bags with handwritten labels. According to Shawn Chavarria, BSI’s Director of Finance, this new initiative represents a substantial upgrade in food quality and safety standards. The change required recent legislative amendments that now permit BSI to offer both packaged brown and white sugar specifically for domestic consumers.
The newly packaged sugar carries a modest price increase of approximately fifteen cents per pound at the mill level, though final retail pricing will depend on distributor and supermarket margins. BSI emphasizes that these adjustments better reflect true market prices while addressing longstanding issues with cross-border smuggling. The company anticipates that the professionally packaged products will significantly reduce illicit trade due to their recognizable branding and traceability.
This strategic move not only modernizes Belize’s sugar distribution system but also aligns with international food safety standards, providing consumers with a more refined product than previously available through informal repackaging methods.