Determination of current price of citrus

(1) The annual price of citrus shall be the price per contract box as decided in accordance with the provisions of this section. (2) The annual price of citrus shall be decided in two stages in discussions between the individual processors and the Association before the beginning and after the close of each year of operation and shall include, (a) a first payment on account by processors to producers per contract box of citrus upon its delivery by producers; and (b) a second payment in one or more amounts after the fruit has been exported and sold, whether in the form of fresh fruit or processed fruit. (3) In determining the annual price of citrus, the following factors shall be taken into consideration, namely, the return from the sale of citrus, the quantities of citrus available for export or exported, and the value of orange oil and any by- products. REVISD EDITION 2020 Printed by Authority of the Government of Belize 16 (4) If the individual processors and the Association fail to agree upon either of the two payments referred to in subsection (2) of this section, they shall report to the Board that they have failed to reach agreement. Upon receipt of such a report, the Board shall consider the matter and determine the amount to be paid or shall refer the matter to an arbitrator or arbitrators to be appointed by the Board whose decision shall be final and conclusive. (5) The second payment towards the annual price per contract box of citrus shall be made, (a) as soon as possible and in any case not later than nine months after the close of the year of operation to which it relates; (b) to the producer on the instructions of the Association, which shall deduct and retain therefrom before paying the balance due to each producer any cess per contract box levied by the Association in accordance with section 38 of this Act. (6) Each producer shall be entitled to receive in first and second payment the average price paid by a processor for oranges or grapefruit or other citrus delivered to him by producers, that is to say, the price found by dividing the total number of contract boxes of oranges or grapefruit or other citrus delivered to the processor by producers into the total sum to be paid by the processor for oranges or grapefruit or other citrus taken separately, Provided that, by agreement between the Association and a processor, a producer may be paid a premium for fruit of special grade delivered by him to the processor, which premium shall not be included in the average price. (7) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, the processors and the Association may enter into an agreement to use an alternative system of payment for citrus Citrus (Processing and Production) [CAP. 277 17 delivered to (such as the Pound Solids Measurement System), and every system so agreed between the parties shall be as valid and effectual as the Contract Box System referred to in subsection (1) of this section