Posted: Friday, October 31, 2025. 2:41 pm CST.
By Aaron Humes: In September 2025, merchandise trade data from the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) reveals notable shifts in export and import dynamics, with some regions experiencing declines while others show gains.
Export earnings from the United Kingdom sharply decreased by $2 million, falling from $8.4 million in September 2024 to $6.4 million in September 2025. The drop was driven by lower sales of sugar and bananas. Similarly, the United States saw a significant decline of $1.3 million, with exports dropping from $4 million to $2.7 million. This downturn was due to the absence of exports of orange oil and alcoholic beverages, alongside reduced shipments of sawn wood.
In contrast, exports to the ‘Other European Union’ region increased from $4.3 million to $6.2 million, supported by new sales of lobster meat and alcoholic beverages. Additionally, stronger cattle exports boosted revenue from Mexico by $1.5 million, rising from $1.3 million to $2.7 million. Exports to CARICOM also expanded by $0.6 million, mainly due to higher shipments of orange concentrate.
Between January and September 2025, merchandise exports totaled $308 million, marking an 8.7 percent decline of $29.5 million compared to the same period last year, which recorded $337.4 million. Sugar led export declines, dropping by $26.1 million (from $124.4 million to $98.3 million), mainly due to lower prices. Molasses exports shrank by $11.5 million, reflecting weaker market prices. Other categories, such as animal feed, sawn wood, pepper sauces, and alcoholic beverages, also experienced reductions.
Among exports, marine exports surged by $8.2 million, driven by lobster and conch shipments. Bananas grew by $2.3 million, reaching $68.6 million. Red kidney bean exports doubled, earning $8 million. Citrus products saw higher earnings, especially orange oil and concentrate. Cattle and crude soybean oil exports grew by $2.7 million and $2.3 million, respectively.
On the import side, overall merchandise imports for the first nine months totaled $2.157 billion, a slight decrease of $9.6 million (0.4 percent) from last year’s $2.167 billion.
Major declines were noted in mineral fuels and lubricants (down $32.8 million), reflecting both lower quantities and world market prices, as well as in machinery and transport equipment, due to decreased high-value imports like industrial generators and turbines. Other categories facing reductions included metal furniture, measuring equipment, and oils & fats.
Conversely, imports of manufactured goods increased by $18.8 million, driven by galvanized steel coils and metal cylinders. The ‘Commercial Free Zone’ saw higher import volumes, notably of cigarettes, rising by $14.9 million. Food and live animals imports also expanded by $13.8 million, covering various grocery products.
While the overall export values declined in the first nine months of 2025, driven primarily by lower sugar and molasses earnings, some sectors experienced growth, notably marine exports and agricultural products. Import trends reflected a reduction in fuels and machinery but increased purchases of manufactured goods and consumables.
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The post Trade revenues decline in major markets; mixed export and import trends appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Friday, October 31, 2025. 2:41 pm CST. By Aaron Humes: In September 2025, merchandise trade data from the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) reveals notable
The post Trade revenues decline in major markets; mixed export and import trends appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
