The Sweet Secrets Of Belize: Uncovering The Sugar Factory's Legacy

The sugar industry in Belize has a long history, with sugar cane first being introduced to the country in the mid-19th century by Yucatan Maya refugees fleeing the Caste War in Mexico. The first sugar mill in Belize was the Serpon Sugar Mill, established in 1863 or 1865. Today, the only operating sugar mill in Belize is the Tower Hill Sugar Factory in Orange Walk, owned by Belize Sugar Industries, Ltd. The industry is a vital component of Belize's economy, with over 5,000 local farmers contributing to its success.

The Serpon Sugar Mill is one of Belize's abandoned sugar factories

The Serpon Sugar Mill was located in the jungle, hidden one mile in on the access road to the village of Sittee River in Stann Creek County. It was one of the first sugar mills in Belize, marking the start of the country's industrial era. The sugar industry in Belize began shortly after Mestizo refugees from the Caste War started immigrating to the country in 1847. One of the first immigrants, Don Justo Rejon, rented land to establish the Santo Tomas Estate. Initially, sugar was produced for local consumption, but by 1857, the first shipments were sent to England.

The rise of the sugar industry in Belize can be traced to the abolition of slavery, but it also reflects how systems of disenfranchisement and power imbalances have continued despite historical shifts. While Belize's sugar industry has experienced fluctuations, it remains a critical component of the country's economy, contributing approximately 5% of the country's GDP.

Today, the Serpon Sugar Mill site is well-maintained, with cut grass and a small hut that houses pictures and information about the mill's history. While it is easily accessible from the main road, its location on a less popular route means that visitors need to know what they are looking for to find it. The mill's remnants stand as a testament to the country's rich history in sugar production and its role in shaping Belize's economy and landscape.

The Corozal Sugar Factory was built in 1937 and is now abandoned

Sugarcane was introduced to the Corozal district of Belize in 1848 by Yucatan immigrants from Mexico. Sugar was initially produced in small amounts using animal-powered mills, but the industry grew with the arrival of American expatriates in the late 1860s and 1870s. By the late 1890s, East Indians, brought in as indentured labourers, achieved success through the use of local and imported labour sources.

Sugar production in Belize grew significantly in the mid-1800s as more Yucatan immigrants fled the Caste War and began cultivating sugarcane. This led to the development of large plantations in the Corozal and Orange Walk regions. Sugar production peaked in the 1880s, with 2.5 million pounds being exported, but declined to just 200,000 pounds by the 1890s.

Concerned about the decline in colonial sugar exports, the British government supported the construction of the Corozal Sugar Factory in Pembroke Hall (now known as Libertad) by Henry Melhado & Sons. The factory marked the beginning of Belize's modern sugar industry when it began operating in 1937. However, it faced challenges in reaching its output goals, taking 16 years to export 2,500 tons of sugar. It was not until 1954 that the factory was fully operational, exporting 7,357 tons of sugar.

In 1967, the British corporation Tate & Lyle purchased the Corozal Sugar Factory, expanded it, and opened a second factory in Tower Hill near Orange Walk. With these investments, sugarcane became a booming industry in Belize, improving the standard of living in the Corozal and Orange Walk regions. However, the factory faced challenges in maintaining high production due to the peak in world sugar prices in the 1970s.

Despite efforts to maintain operations, unstable sugar prices in the 1980s, declining sugar consumption in developed countries, and the emergence of sugar alternatives led to the closure of the Corozal Sugar Factory in 1985. The factory was leased to the Jamaican petroleum company Petrojam in 1989 for the production of molasses, but it closed again in 1997. Today, the factory remains abandoned, with plans to repair it and add a new distillery for ethanol production facing delays since 2007.

Sugarcane farming was introduced to Belize by Yucatan Mayas

Sugarcane farming was introduced to Belize by Yucatan Maya immigrants in 1848. They fled to the Corozal district of Belize from Mexico during the Caste War, a Mayan social struggle for freedom after 300 years of oppression in their lands. In Belize, they grew sugarcane in small amounts, producing molasses and sugar using animal-powered mills.

Sugarcane was not new to the Yucatan Mayas, as they had been growing it in their homeland in the Yucatan Peninsula. However, in Belize, it became a crop of choice for future immigrants, and its cultivation expanded beyond the Corozal district. The British, who were initially focused on wood cutting, soon recognised the potential of sugarcane as an export commodity. This led to the development of large plantations in the Corozal and Orange Walk regions. Sugar production peaked in the 1880s, with 2.5 million pounds being exported.

The success of the sugarcane industry in Belize was not without challenges. The British government faced declining colonial sugar exports in the 1890s, and factory output struggled to meet export goals. Additionally, with the abolition of slavery, the dynamics of labour changed, impacting the industry. Despite these challenges, sugarcane became a booming industry for Belize, improving the standard of living in the Corozal and Orange Walk regions.

Today, sugarcane remains an important part of Belize's economy and a significant source of foreign exchange. The Tower Hill Sugar Factory in Orange Walk, owned by Belize Sugar Industries, Ltd., is the only operating sugar mill in the country. It processes sugarcane from more than 4000 farmers and supplies an estimated 40,000 acres each year.

The sugar industry is a vital component of Belize's economy

Sugarcane was introduced to Belize (then known as British Honduras) in the mid-19th century by immigrants from Mexico's Yucatan region. Sugar quickly became a key crop for future immigrants, and by the late 19th century, it had become a main source of income for the country. Sugar was deeply embedded in the economic and social system, and it played a role in maintaining control and authority over workers.

The sugar industry in Belize has a long and complex history, reflecting how systems of disenfranchisement and power dynamics have evolved over time. While the industry is much smaller today, it remains a vital component of Belize's economy. Sugar accounts for about 4-5% of the country's GDP and 9-10% of its total exports. It is estimated that about 40,000 people, or almost 15% of the country's population, are dependent on the industry.

The sugar industry in Belize is largely concentrated in the northern districts of Corozal and Orange Walk, also known as the 'Sugar Belt'. This region has a long history of sugar production, dating back to the 19th century when large plantations were established by British colonial powers. Today, there are over 5,000 independent sugar cane farmers in this region, supplying cane to the Tower Hill Sugar Factory, which is owned and operated by Belize Sugar Industries Ltd.

The Tower Hill factory is the only remaining operating sugar mill in Belize. It has been supplying sugar cane to the country for over a century and is an essential part of the country's agricultural sector. While there have been challenges and fluctuations in the industry, it remains a critical component of Belize's economy, providing significant employment, foreign exchange earnings, and other social and environmental benefits.

The sugar industry in Belize is at a critical juncture, as the country adjusts to changes in the global sugar market and the end of preferential agreements with the European Union. To remain competitive, Belize will need to focus on improving efficiency and reducing production costs. The country's stakeholders have recognised the need to concentrate on improving field productivity and competitiveness to maintain the industry's viability.

The Tower Hill factory in Orange Walk is currently the only operating sugar mill in Belize

Sugarcane was introduced to Belize in the mid-19th century by immigrants fleeing the Caste War in Mexico. The industry grew with the arrival of American expatriates in the late 1860s and 1870s, and by the late 1890s and early 1900s, it had become a main source of income for the country via export. Today, the sugar industry is a small but vital component of Belize's economy, with over 5,000 local farmers contributing to its success.

The Tower Hill factory is located in northern Belize, where the sugar industry is a significant part of the country's economy. The region has a long history of sugarcane production, dating back to the 1800s when it was a booming industry. Today, over 60,000 acres of sugarcane are in production in the Orange Walk and Corozal Districts, with the Tower Hill factory processing all the sugarcane in northern Belize.

The factory is an important source of jobs and economic growth for the region, and it contributes to energy security as well. The burning of sugarcane bagasse is used to convert water to steam, which then turns turbines to produce electricity. In addition to white and brown sugar, as well as molasses, this electricity is one of the products of the Tower Hill factory's sugarcane processing.

While the Tower Hill factory is the only remaining operational sugar mill in Belize, there are several abandoned mills that offer a glimpse into the country's sugar history. These include the Serpon Sugar Mill, the Lamanai Sugar Mill, and the Corozal Sugar Factory, which was once a booming centre of sugarcane production but is now closed and abandoned.

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