BELMOPAN, Belize, May 1, CMC -Belize domestic exports for the month of March this year, amounted to BDZ$25.1 million (One BDZ$=US$0.49 cents), a decrease of 18.7 per cent or BDZ$5.8 million when compared to exports for March 2025, which were valued at BDZ$30.9 million, the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) has said.
In its Consumer Price Index (CPI) survey for the month of March, the SIB said that export earnings for the month declined across several key commodities when compared to March 2025.
Revenues from red kidney beans recorded the largest reduction of BDZ$2.1 million from three million dollars to BDZ$0.9 million, the result of reduced export volumes during the month. Formal cattle exports declined by BDZ$1.9 million, from BDZ$1.9 million in March of last year to no exports recorded for March of 2026. Citrus product earnings also decreased by BDZ$1.8 million, from BDZ$3.3 million to BDZ$1.5 million, largely due to lower quantities of orange concentrate being sold.
Sugar exports were down by BDZ$0.8 million, from BDZ$4.3 million in March 2025 to BDZ$3.5 million in March 2026, reflecting a combination of reduced export volumes and lower market prices.
On the other hand, SIB said several export commodities saw improved earnings relative to March 2025. Molasses recorded the most notable increase, rising by one million dollars, from BDZ$0.04 million, as higher quantities of this commodity were sold during the month. Similarly, revenues from animal feed were up by BDZ$0.7 million, from BDZ$0.5 million in March of last year to BDZ$1.2 million in March of this year, driven by increased export volumes.
Banana revenues rose slightly from BDZ$8.2 million to BDZ$8.5 million, supported by a modest increase in export volumes. In addition, marine products were up by a modest BDZ$0.2 million, from four million last year to $4.2 million in March 2026.
“This was due to higher exports of lobster meat, coupled with the fact that, while no shrimp was exported during March of last year, there were shipments of this commodity reported for March of this year,” SIB said,
It said that the overall decline in sales of red kidney beans and citrus products contributed to a significant BDZ$3.9 million reduction in earnings from Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries, from BDZ$10.8 million in March 2025 to BDZ$6.9 million in March 2026.
Similarly, earnings from the United Kingdom declined by BDZ$2.6 million, from BDZ$6.8 million to BDZ$4.2 million, reflecting weaker banana and sugar sales.
Exports to Mexico were also down, contracting by BDZ$1.7 million, from two million dollars, the result of lower cattle sales to this market.
“On the other hand, higher banana exports supported a $2.1 million increase in earnings from Other European Union countries, from $4.6 million to $6.7 million. Additionally, the rise in animal feed exports contributed to a $0.4 million increase in revenues from Other Central American countries, from $1.2 million in March 2025 to $1.7 million in March 2026”
SIB said that for the first three months of the year, merchandise exports totaled BDZ$65.4 million, down 9.1 percent or BDZ$6.6 million from the same period in 2025, when exports were valued at BDZ$72.
CMC/ah/ir/2026