A years-long high-stakes legal battle over millions in unpaid Fairtrade sugar premiums took a pivotal turn on June 10, 2026, when Belize’s Court of Appeal ruled against global sugar processor Tate & Lyle Sugars Limited, clearing the path for the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) to advance its claim to a full trial.
The dispute stretches back years, centered on premium payments mandated by Fairtrade certification that the BSCFA alleges were wrongfully withheld by Tate & Lyle. The current legal process launched after a July 2025 Belize High Court ruling granted the BSCFA permission to move forward with its trial. Tate & Lyle contested that lower court decision, launching the appeal that was just resolved.
At the opening of the appeal hearing, the judicial panel addressed a preliminary dispute first: it overruled an objection from the BSCFA to Belize Sugar Industries Limited (BSI) joining the case, granting the firm status as an interested party permitted to submit legal arguments.
Tate & Lyle’s core legal arguments centered on two claims: first, that Belize’s domestic courts had no jurisdiction over the dispute, and second, that any conflict should have been resolved through arbitration outlined in a long-expired commercial agreement between the parties. The firm had pushed for the entire BSCFA claim to be thrown out entirely.
The Court of Appeal rejected every element of Tate & Lyle’s challenge. In its written decision, the three-judge panel confirmed that the lower High Court judge had correctly ruled that there was a genuine, triable legal dispute between the two parties, even though the original commercial contract between them had expired. The panel also found that the BSCFA had presented sufficient legal grounds to pursue its claims of conspiracy and constructive trust over the withheld premium funds.
The court further held that the High Court committed no legal error in refusing to dismiss the claim or invalidate the formal service of legal documents to Tate & Lyle. As a result of the ruling, the appeal was formally dismissed, the BSCFA was awarded full legal costs from Tate & Lyle, and a temporary stay on trial proceedings was lifted.
This latest development comes against a backdrop of political pressure in the case. Earlier in 2026, reports confirmed that the Government of Belize offered the BSCFA a $1 million fertilizer incentive package in March to push the association to settle the dispute out of court before the appeal ruling. The BSCFA declined the offer, opting to continue pursuing its legal claim for the full amount of alleged unpaid premiums.
Legal teams for all parties were confirmed ahead of the hearing: Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay and Illiana Swift represented Tate & Lyle Sugars Limited, while Senior Counsel Magali Marin Young and Allister Jenkins acted for the BSCFA. Hector Guerra and Edgar Lord represented interested party BSI.