By Zoila Palma: Belize’s cattle industry has recorded significant growth in recent years, with the national herd increasing from approximately 90,000 head in 2015 to 220,000 as of August 2026.
Agriculture Minister Rodwell Ferguson told BBN that improved genetics, pasture management, husbandry practices and access to new markets have contributed to the expansion.
Ferguson said Belize’s cattle exports have also increased significantly. “Our cattle herd has grown from 90,000 heads in 2015 to 220,000 heads as of August 2026,” Minister Ferguson said.
He said the country exported approximately 14,000 head annually in 2018, compared with more than 40,000 head being exported today.
He added that Belize has developed growing markets in neighbouring countries.
“Our exports have grown from 14,000 heads per year in 2018 to 41,000 heads in 2025,” he explained.
He noted that Belize currently consumes about 10,000 head annually while exporting more than 40,000 head, primarily to Guatemala and Mexico.
Ferguson said the growth presents an opportunity for Belize to play a greater role in supplying beef to CARICOM. “There is a great opportunity for Belize to supply a major portion of Caricom’s beef demand via carcass exports to further process in Jamaica or other Caricom countries,” he further added.
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By Zoila Palma: Belize’s cattle industry has recorded significant growth in recent years, with the national herd increasing from approximately 90,000 head in 2015 to 220,000 as of August 2026. Agriculture Minister Rodwell Ferguson told BBN that improved genetics, pasture management, husbandry practices and access to new markets have contributed to the expansion. Ferguson said
The post Minister of Agriculture says cattle herd surges to 220,000 heads as beef export market expands appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.