Belize's Citrus Squeeze: A Look At The Industry's Evolution And Impact

The citrus industry in Belize is known as the Citrus Industry of Belize. It is the country's oldest and most important agro-industry, with oranges and grapefruits being the main citrus fruits produced. The industry began in 1913 when three investors imported 900 budded grapefruit trees from Florida, planting them in the Stann Creek Valley.

The origins of the Belize citrus industry

Citrus fruits are believed to have originated in Asia and spread to the Mediterranean and the rest of the Western world via trade routes. They were introduced to Central America and the Caribbean by European colonists, with Christopher Columbus planting the first orange seed in Haiti in 1493. By the 16th century, oranges had spread across the globe, but a sustainable citrus industry in Belize did not emerge until the 19th and 20th centuries.

In the mid-19th century, Belize, then known as the crown colony of British Honduras, had abolished slavery, and the demand for lumber and mahogany was declining. However, the majority of the land was still controlled by a small group of white landowners, some of whom were former American confederates. These landowners experimented with various agricultural practices, relying on indentured servants from India and China.

The southern territory of Stann Creek became a centre for banana farming, with the establishment of banana plantations by a conglomerate of farmers in the late 19th century. This coincided with the birth of the first international fruit companies. Citrus fruits were introduced as a cash crop in 1913 by Dr. Smith Osborne Browne, the colonial doctor at Stann Creek, who imported grapefruit plants from Florida. He was joined by Alfred Edward Vine, the Manager of the British Honduras Syndicate, and William Alexander Jex Bowman, a banana grower in the Stann Creek District. Each imported 300 budded grapefruit of different varieties.

Despite initial challenges in marketing their produce due to protectionist policies in the United States, Browne and his partners persevered. With government assistance, other farmers began converting their land to citrus, and a major disease outbreak that ravaged banana farms further spurred the growth of citrus in the region. The formation of the British Honduras Citrus Association in 1934 marked a significant turning point, leading to rapid growth in the industry. By the 1980s, Belize had gained independence and implemented the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI), which helped its citrus industry gain a competitive edge and achieve remarkable success.

The role of Stann Creek Valley

The Stann Creek Valley is a 20-mile strip of fertile land in the foothills of the Maya Mountain Massif in Belize. It is the birthplace and headquarters of the citrus industry in Belize, and its emerald green citrus orchards have contributed significantly to the economic history and prosperity of the country.

The idea to start a citrus industry in Belize is attributed to three pioneers: Dr. Smith Osborne (S.O.) Browne, the colonial surgeon for the Stann Creek District; Alfred Edward (A.E.) Vine, the Manager of the British Honduras Syndicate; and William Alexander Jex (W.A.J.) Bowman, a banana grower in the Stann Creek District. In 1913, these men imported 900 budded grapefruit plants from Florida and planted them in the Stann Creek Valley. The grapefruit was of different varieties, with Bowman planting 286 Marsh and Duncan grapefruits on 4 acres in Sarawee, while the other two growers established their plantings in Pomona.

For the first twelve years, no profits were made because marketing was difficult, as the United States vigorously protected its young citrus industry in Florida. However, in 1925-1926, regular exports were commenced with 3,756 cases of fresh grapefruit. By the late 1930s, other farmers became involved in citrus planting, and the industry began to grow.

The Stann Creek Valley is also known as the citrus belt of Belize. The relatively shallow North Stann Creek River runs for 40 miles through the valley and is the major water source for the 20,000 residents of the Valley and the town of Dangriga. The valley consists of nine villages and approximately 7,000 residents, with Pomona being the largest village and the de-facto capital of the area.

Citrus production is Belize's oldest and most important agro-industry. The industry has been in existence in the Stann Creek Valley for just over 100 years and has played a crucial role in the economic development of the country. The citrus orchards in the valley have contributed significantly to Belize's position as one of the largest exporters of agricultural products in the world.

The British Honduras Citrus Association

The formation of the BHCA came at a time when the citrus industry in Belize was facing challenges. While citrus had been grown in British Honduras since 1859, with references to personal orange groves on the private estates of Belizean landowners, the industry had yet to thrive due to political and practical considerations. These included the fact that Belize did not become an official British colony until 1865, and the lucrative nature of the mahogany and lumber industries. It was only in the middle of the 19th century that things began to change, with the abolition of slavery and the decline in demand for lumber and mahogany.

The BHCA played a crucial role in the development and expansion of the citrus industry in Belize. By the late 1930s, other farmers became involved in citrus planting, and grapefruit was exported fresh in wooden boxes to Canada and the United Kingdom. The industry experienced a brief pause during World War II but resumed growth afterward. However, by 1960, the citrus groves were highly consolidated, with nearly 80% belonging to just three entities.

Despite this consolidation, the BHCA continued to advocate for the rights of citrus growers and worked to improve the industry's infrastructure and processes. In the 1980s, the implementation of the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) helped boost the industry by allowing Belizean citrus producers to undercut their competition. This led to unprecedented growth, and citrus remains one of Belize's most prominent crops today.

Today, Belize's citrus industry continues to thrive, with close to 48,000 acres dedicated to citrus farming across the country. The industry has evolved to include a range of products, including concentrates, juices, pulps, and oils. Income from the citrus industry has also increased significantly, with a notable rise from $33 million in 2002 to $95 million in 2011.

Citrus Products of Belize Ltd

CPBL maintains a 20% stake in the country's annual fruit production through its own groves, which are planted in the salubrious Stann Creek Valley and the Cayo District. The company's processing facilities maintain international quality standards and are certified as such on an annual basis.

In addition to juice processing for bulk distribution, CPBL also has a state-of-the-art value-added packaging line for its own brand labels of concentrates, single-strength juices, juice blends, spring water, and flavoured water. CPBL's products include Citrus Valley Squash, Caribbean Pride Tetra Pack, Caribbean Pride 350 ml, and Citro Pulp. The company's export markets include the Caribbean and Central America.

CPBL is committed to quality in all aspects of its work. Its goals are to continuously improve product quality, customer satisfaction, greater profitability, and a better way of life for its employees, community, and country. To ensure the highest standards of quality, the company has adopted the International Quality Management System standard of ISO 9001:2000 incorporating HACCP. CPBL is also constantly investing in cutting-edge technology to process growers' citrus fruits in the most efficient manner.

The history of the citrus industry in Belize dates back to 1913 when three investors – Dr. S. O. Browne, Mr. A. E. Vine, and Mr. W. A. J. Bowman – imported nine hundred budded grapefruit trees from Florida and planted them in the Stann Creek Valley. The industry grew significantly in the 1980s when Belizean-produced citrus concentrate became exempt from United States tariff duties under the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI).

The future of the industry

The future of Belize's citrus industry is difficult to predict, but there are several factors that will likely play a significant role in its development. One key challenge is the increasing competition from larger citrus-producing countries such as Mexico and Brazil, which have preferential access to key export markets like the United States through trade agreements. This could potentially impact the competitiveness of Belize's citrus products in these markets and affect their export revenue.

Another critical issue is the threat of diseases and pests that can devastate citrus crops. The detection of the Asian Citrus Psyllid in 2005 and the subsequent confirmation of the Citrus Greening disease in 2009, also known as HuangLongBing (HLB) or Yellow Dragon Disease, has been a significant concern for the industry. This disease has been labelled as the worst disease to afflict citrus, as it has no cure and can cause infected trees to decline within 1 to 10 years. The Belizean government and the Citrus Research and Education Institute (CREI) have taken steps to control the spread of the disease and devised replanting programs to boost citrus production.

The industry has also faced challenges due to low citrus prices compared to other producing countries, even with superior fruit quality. Additionally, the high cost of fertilizers and farm inputs, along with the lack of government support in building citrus roads for expansion, have created further obstacles for the industry's growth.

However, there are also some positive developments that could shape the future of the industry. The Social Security Board has earmarked funds for replanting programs and is offering loans at reduced rates to encourage younger farmers to enter the industry. The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has also implemented a biological control program to manage the Asian Citrus Psyllid vector using wasps.

Moreover, the potential for exporting fresh oranges to the UK after Brexit could open up new opportunities for the industry, as they would no longer need to adhere to European food and plant safety regulations. The industry has also seen the development of GMO citrus trees in Florida that display total resistance to the greening disease, which could be a potential direction for Belizean farmers to explore.

In conclusion, while the future of Belize's citrus industry faces several challenges, there are also promising developments and opportunities that could shape its course. A unified approach from the government, research institutions, and growers themselves will be crucial in addressing these challenges and ensuring the industry's long-term viability.

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