Belize's Banana Cultivation: A Tropical Treat

Bananas are indeed grown in Belize and are a significant export product for the country. Banana production in Belize began in the late 19th century when it was a British colony, with the first plantations established by American and British investors. Today, Belize has over 6,000 acres of land dedicated to banana production, primarily in the Stann Creek and Toledo districts. In 2022, Belize exported $41.7 million worth of bananas, making it the 30th largest exporter of bananas globally. The main export destinations for Belizean bananas are the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, the United States, and Belgium. While banana production in Belize has faced challenges due to diseases and natural disasters, it remains an important part of the country's economy and contributes significantly to its agricultural exports.

Banana exports from Belize

Banana exports are a significant part of Belize's economy, with bananas being the country's second most exported product in 2022. In that year, Belize exported $41.7 million worth of bananas, making it the 30th largest exporter of bananas in the world. The main destinations for Belize's banana exports are the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, the United States, and Belgium.

The history of banana production in Belize dates back to the late 19th century when it was a British colony. Initially, American and British investors established large-scale plantations. However, over the years, the pattern of production has shifted towards smaller-scale localized indigenous farming primarily targeting the European market. In the 1920s, the banana trade between British Honduras (now Belize) and New Orleans was wiped out due to an outbreak of Panama disease, a fungal infection. The industry faced further setbacks in 1975 and 1978 when hurricanes destroyed plantations.

Belizean bananas are primarily of the Cavendish variety, which is originally from China. The typical Cavendish banana plant produces around 200 bananas per year and has a lifespan of three to four years. While bananas are grown in various regions of Belize, the Stann Creek and Toledo districts are the main production areas, with over 6,000 acres dedicated to banana cultivation.

In recent years, Belize has faced challenges in its banana industry due to diseases and potential changes in market access. The susceptibility of bananas to diseases such as Panama disease and Black Sigatoka has been a significant concern. Additionally, the potential loss of preferential access to the British market could impact the growth of the industry. Nonetheless, with new port facilities and improved disease control and agricultural techniques, Belize continues to be a significant player in the global banana export market.

Banana imports to Belize

Banana production in Belize began in the late 19th century when it was a British colony, with American and British investors establishing the first plantations. Over the last 70 years, the pattern of banana production has shifted from large-scale American and British-owned company production to smaller-scale, localised indigenous farming primarily targeted at the European market.

In 1999, banana production accounted for 16% of Belize's total exports. However, production has fluctuated over the years, falling from 68,000 metric tons in 1994 to 45,000 in 1995, before rising to 78,000 in 1999. The industry has faced several challenges, including the outbreak of Panama disease in the 1920s, hurricanes in 1975 and 1978, and more recent issues with diseases like black sigatoka and TR4.

While Belize does produce bananas, it also imports them. In 2022, Belize imported $23.2k worth of bananas, making it the 155th largest importer of bananas in the world. The primary sources of these imports are the United Kingdom ($22.7k) and Brazil ($515).

The import market for bananas in Belize has seen growth, with the United Kingdom and Brazil being the fastest-growing import markets between 2021 and 2022. Despite the relatively low value of banana imports compared to exports, it is still a significant aspect of Belize's overall banana trade.

History of banana production in Belize

Banana production in Belize, then known as British Honduras, began in the late 19th century. Before banana farming took off in the region, Belize's economy relied on lumber and mahogany harvesting, which depended on slave labour. In the mid-19th century, English landowners and American transplants attempted to launch sugar plantations with Chinese and Indian indentured labourers, but these efforts largely failed, and the practice of indentured servitude was eventually banned.

The country's first forays into banana farming were made possible by Minor Cooper Keith, an American magnate whose empire covered farming, railroads, and shipping. Keith owned hundreds of thousands of acres of land in Costa Rica, where he began growing bananas and exporting them to the US through New Orleans. He soon expanded his banana plantations to Panama and Colombia.

In Belize, Keith's operations led to the development of four notable banana producers: the Belize Fruit Company, the British Honduras Fruit Company, the Manatee Fruit Company, and the Walize Fruit Company. The arrival of the banana industry in the Stann Creek region helped put the town of Stann Creek on the map and positioned it as an important trade port.

By the early 20th century, the banana business was booming, and the English recognised the United Fruit Company as one of the biggest banana producers operating in the country. The American corporation was formed from the merger of Minor Cooper Keith's operations with the Boston Fruit Company. However, the appearance of Panama Disease in 1916 led to the quick demise of many banana plantations in Belize. As the country struggled with the Great Depression, the industry continued to decline, and by the mid-1930s, most banana farming operations were non-operational.

There were multiple attempts throughout the mid-20th century to bring back banana plantations, with some success in the 1950s and 1960s. The development of new disease-resistant strains of bananas raised hopes for a farming renaissance. However, hurricanes in 1975 and 1978 destroyed plantations, and the subsequent takeover of banana cultivation by the Banana Control Board further inhibited production.

Since then, the banana farming industry in Belize has been largely a private enterprise, with production shifting away from large-scale American and British-owned companies to smaller-scale localised indigenous farming primarily targeted at the European market. Despite fluctuations, banana farming remains a steady and important segment of Belize's economy, with tens of millions of dollars in production.

How to grow a banana tree in Belize

Bananas are grown in Belize for export and to supplement your shopping. Here is a guide on how to grow a banana tree in Belize.

Location

When choosing a location, find a spot with full sun to partial shade. Banana trees thrive in warm, humid conditions, but they don't like temperature extremes. They grow best in temperatures ranging from 75 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Frost will cause the plant to die back to the ground, and temperatures below 60 degrees will slow its growth. Banana trees are tropical plants that originated in rainforests, so they need plenty of moisture in the air and a lot of water.

Soil

Banana trees grow best in loamy, sandy, and well-drained soil. A mix of half black dirt and half sand to a depth of about 18 inches will work well.

Watering

Water banana trees frequently to ensure the soil stays evenly moist but not soggy. Avoid overwatering, as this can cause root rot.

Fertilizer

Apply a complete fertilizer such as 8-10-8 monthly throughout the growing season. Spread the fertilizer evenly around the plant, ensuring that none touches the base. Mix compost into the soil every year in the spring to increase the level of organic matter.

Pruning

After the banana tree has fruited, it will not produce any more bunches and must be cut down to ground level. Prune the tree before it fruits, leaving only one main stem. After six to eight months, leave one sucker (a small shoot at the base of the stem) to replace the main stem in the next growing season. After the fruit is removed, cut the main stem down to 2.5 feet. Remove the rest of the stem a few weeks later, leaving the replacement sucker intact.

Pests and Diseases

Banana trees are susceptible to various pests and diseases, including aphids, black banana weevils, nematodes, mealybugs, red spider mites, scarring beetles, and thrips. Keep an eye out for these pests and take appropriate action to protect your banana tree. Additionally, be aware that banana trees are susceptible to Panama disease and Black Sigatoka disease, which have historically impacted banana production in Belize.

Different varieties of bananas grown in Belize

Bananas are indeed grown in Belize, and they come in several varieties. The Central American country is one of many that produce the fruit, which is thought to have originated in Malaysia around 4,000 years ago.

While there are over 1,000 varieties of bananas worldwide, those grown for export are almost all of the same type: the Cavendish, a variety originally from China. In Belize, the Grand Naine (Big Dwarf) cultivar of the Cavendish is the most common. The typical Cavendish plant produces around 200 bananas a year and lives for three or four years.

Before the 1960s, the Gros Michel was the variety grown in Belize. The Michel is a creamier, tastier, larger, and less fragile variety than the Cavendish. However, it is susceptible to Panama disease, a fungal infection that wiped out banana plantations across the Caribbean and Central and northern South America. The last Gros Michel was shipped to the US in 1965.

Other varieties of bananas grown in Belize include the red banana, which is fatter, shorter, and sweeter than the yellow Gros Mitchell variety. There are also smaller bananas called apple bananas, which are yellow but miniature, about half the size of a regular banana. Another variety is the bologo, which is a very fat yellow banana with orange-ish flesh.

Frequently asked questions