Santander Sugar Group Launches Tenth Harvest Season in Cayo

The Santander Sugar Group launched Harvest Season at its facilities in the Cayo District, officially commencing its tenth production cycle in western Belize. Formed from one family’s vision, the company represents one of the largest foreign direct investments in Belize and has been operating locally since 2016, producing sugar and supplying energy to the domestic market. Over the years, Santander has positioned itself as a major agro-industrial employer, with more than 85 percent of its workforce composed of Belizeans. During today’s inauguration ceremony, company officials reflected on this year’s harvest season, one that is focused on strengthening operational efficiency and long-term sustainability. We spoke with founder and CEO of the company, Jose Rodriguez, who shared more about the season and what it represents for the company’s growth and contribution to Belize’s sugar industry.

Jose Rodriguez, CEO, Santander Sugar Group: “Well, we are happy to start the 2026 season. For us, like I mentioned before it’s a very important day. We have been preparing all year for this moment and we’re blessed to be able to start with this good weather. Every harvest season is important. This season, and every harvest season is different, you think that it could be the same but every harvest season has different things. And this one is a special one because we have been able to start the construction of a refinery with our partners, SUCRO. The name of the refinery is Caribbean Sugar Refinery and with that investment we will be able to produce refined sugar for the first time in the Caribbean reducing the dependence on external sugar coming to the market.”

This tenth season is set to deliver improved industrial performance, greater integration of sustainable agricultural practices, energy optimization and adherence to international quality standards. Rodriguez emphasized that lessons learned from past harvests have been key in refining operations.

Jose Rodriguez, CEO, Santander Sugar Group: “We have been introducing new genetics for the conditions of Belize over the years. We have invested a lot of money in new varieties coming from Brazil mainly, from Guatemala, from the U.S. and we have made our trials in every different environment of production and we have a lot of varieties already, promising varieties that are already giving good results. We have them planted in about half of the area or a little bit more this year. So we are expecting them to start increasing productions and increasing sugar yields. They are also good for the resistance of different diseases and pests, which is a big problem here in Belize. Well, this year what we have learned over the years is that we invested in the sugar mill to be able to grind more cane and to reduce the harvest season to 120 days because this is the time that we have the dry weather in this part of the country and makes everything go smooth. The productions are better, the harvesting equipment is more efficient and the sugar content gets better with this weather.”

Still, the sugar industry continues to face its challenges, particularly from crop disease and pests that can significantly affect production. In response, Rodriguez says they have been keen on selecting more resistant cane varieties and strengthening field management in order to position the company for a productive harvest amidst the dry season.

Jose Rodriguez, CEO, Santander Sugar Group: “Well, our challenges have been the production, bringing varieties for these different environments. Also all the investment that has to go in to be able to increase the capacity of the mill, the areas that have to be planted, we have to invest a lot of money on preparing the fields, on leveling, preparing drainage, and being able to plant them on time. We try to bring genetics that are more resistant, modern varieties that are selected for more resistant in different aspects and different regions. And those are the ones that we are selecting and trying them in different areas to be able to get the best results possible. Well we expect to have a high sugar yields. Weather has been very good over the year, so production has been, I think is going to be good. In the countries around the region that have already started the season, productions are high, so we are expecting a good production. Machines also come do a better job when it’s dry they can clean the cane better, they can cut better, and they can do a better job. These harvesters in my mind I consider them the 8th marvel because they do a lot of work that is difficult to do.”