Belize's Fresh Produce Sources

Sourcing produce in Belize is a unique experience. While many countries have large grocery stores or supermarkets, Belize has a different system. Most food is delivered, with advance ordering, and people source their food from various places. This can be confusing for tourists, as it frequently changes. Belize has a mix of cuisines, including Caribbean, Mexican, African, Spanish, Mayan, and Chinese, as well as burgers, pizzas, and Indian food. The country's agricultural sector is a key part of its economy, with locally grown fruit and vegetables consumed domestically. Belize's tropical climate supports the growth of a variety of fruits, including sapodilla, mango, pineapple, papaya, dragon fruit, guava, starfruit, and bananas. The country also has a strong fishing industry, with seafood being a staple in coastal and island areas.

Local women bake and sell bread daily

Sourcing produce in Belize is a unique experience. While in many countries, people are accustomed to buying groceries for the week from a single large store, in Belize, food is usually delivered, and orders are placed in advance. Eating out is often cheaper than buying ingredients at the grocery store.

Belize's grocery stores are mostly Chinese (Taiwanese)-owned. However, there are some Belizean-owned stores, such as Brodie's, which has branches in Belmopan and Belize City. The latter is similar to a North American-style grocery store.

Villages and towns often have locals who bake and sell bread daily. The bread is typically ready around 3 pm, and options include Creole bread, buns, powder buns, johnny cakes, banana bread, cassava bread, and cinnamon rolls. These sell for .50/$1BZ to $1US/$2BZ a loaf.

In Hopkins, for example, there used to be two tortilla "factories" where corn tortillas could be purchased for $1US/$2BZ a pound. However, this closed during the pandemic. Now, corn tortillas can be found at the vegetable stand by the basketball courts.

In addition to bread, locals in Belize also sell other produce, such as chicken, eggs, and turkey. Many people buy directly from trucks for convenience and food safety. Caribbean Chicken and Quality Poultry Chicken are popular options.

Belize also has physical fruit and vegetable stands, and vendors who drive through villages selling produce. In bigger towns, there are marketplaces with several vendors selling produce, food stands, and other locally made products.

Fruit and vegetable stands

In bigger towns, there are marketplaces with several vendors selling produce, as well as food stands and other locally made products. For example, in Dangriga, a business-centre town about 20 minutes away from Hopkins, there are several produce stands and a market.

The availability of certain fruits varies throughout the year. For example, sapodilla is available from December to March, mangoes from June to August, and dragon fruit from April to May.

In addition to the fruit and vegetable stands, there are also local women who bake and sell bread daily. Hot bread is typically ready around 3 pm, and various types of bread, such as Creole bread, buns, powder buns, johnny cakes, and cinnamon rolls, are sold for BZ$0.50 to BZ$2 per loaf (US$0.50 to US$1).

Local restaurants

Belize has a diverse food scene, with influences from Caribbean, Mexican, African, Spanish, Mayan, and even Chinese cuisines. While there is no one distinctive Belizean cuisine, the country's restaurants offer a variety of dishes that showcase the local produce and flavours.

For those looking to source produce for cooking, there are a few options. Most villages and towns will have locals selling bread, tortillas, and produce stands. There are also fruit and vegetable vendors who drive through villages selling their goods, honking their horns to attract customers. In bigger towns, there are markets with several vendors selling produce, food stands, and other locally made products.

Rice and beans is another common dish, often served as an accompaniment to main courses. It can be cooked in coconut milk and served together, or cooked and served separately as "beans and rice". Belizeans typically use small red beans, but black beans are also used.

Stew chicken, along with its variations, stew beef and stew fish, could be considered Belize's national dish. These Kriol-based recipes are dark stews flavoured with a mix of spices and red recado, made from annatto seed or achiote. A similar dish is chimole, sometimes called black gumbo.

Conch fritters are a popular appetizer, found on most bar and restaurant menus, especially in coastal areas. They are deep-fried balls of flour batter and chopped conch meat. Other snacks include tacos, tamales (dukunu), and garnaches—a fried corn tortilla topped with beans, cheese, meat, or chicken.

Belize also has a variety of wild game on restaurant menus, such as gibnut (paca), which has been dubbed "The Queen's Rat" as it was served to Queen Elizabeth during her visit, and iguana, often called "bamboo chicken". While sea turtle is also available, it is endangered and its consumption is discouraged.

For those with a sweet tooth, local desserts include coconut pie, chocolate pie, bread pudding, and flan.

Chinese grocery stores

Most grocery stores in Belize are Chinese (Taiwanese) owned. The country is one of the few that recognise Taiwan, and Taiwan gives a lot of foreign aid to Belize. This means Taiwan gets special provisions for importing goods.

There are many Chinese grocery stores throughout Belize. In Hopkins, for example, a town with a population of about 3,000, there are half a dozen Chinese grocery stores. The three most popular are Happy, Dong Lee, and Fi Wi Mart. In Maya Village, a few miles away, there is one Belizean-owned store and one Chinese store.

In these stores, you can buy paper products, meat, and dairy. You can also buy imported goods, such as cereal, coffee, and snacks like crackers and cookies. The stores also have an aisle dedicated to home goods like dish towels, plastic cups, food containers, flip flops, cleaning buckets, and mops. You can also buy hardware, school supplies, and toiletries.

Where Else to Source Produce in Belize

Belize offers a range of fresh fruits and vegetables, including bananas, pineapples, mangoes, tomatoes, peppers, and leafy greens. These are generally affordable and can be found in local markets and supermarkets, as well as fruit and vegetable stands.

Local women also bake and sell bread daily. In Hopkins, there are two physical fruit and vegetable stands that bring in fresh produce from the Cayo region on Tuesdays and Fridays. There are also "pop-up" fruit and vegetable stands that appear on church grounds most days.

In bigger towns, there are marketplaces with several vendors selling produce, food stands, and other locally made products.

Local producers

Belize's economy is largely based on tourism, agriculture, and services, with agriculture and agribusiness providing a source of income and livelihood for many workers. The country's tropical climate and adequate rainfall make it ideal for growing a variety of fruits and vegetables, which are consumed domestically and exported internationally. Here are some local producers and sources of produce in Belize:

Local Farmers' Markets

Local farmers' markets are a great way to source fresh produce directly from local farmers and producers. These markets can be found in most towns and villages across Belize, offering a wide range of fruits, vegetables, and other locally made products. It is a great place to interact with the local community and support local businesses.

Convenience Stores and Fruit and Vegetable Stalls

Convenience stores and fruit and vegetable stalls are common in Belize and offer a range of fresh produce. You can find everything from tropical fruits like mangoes, papayas, and pineapples to vegetables like bell peppers and lettuce. These stalls are usually located in central areas, making them easily accessible to both locals and tourists.

Supermarkets and Gift Shops

Supermarkets and gift shops in Belize also offer a selection of locally sourced produce. For example, you can find homemade organic chocolate under the label Goss Chocolate in supermarkets and gift shops across the country. These stores provide a convenient option for those looking for a wider variety of products in one place.

Local Bread and Sweet Roll Bakers

Local women in Belize bake and sell delicious breads and sweet rolls. Hot bread is typically available in the afternoon, and you can find a variety of options such as Creole bread, buns, powder buns, johnny cakes, banana bread, and cinnamon rolls. These baked goods are not only tasty but also affordable, usually costing around $0.50 to $2 BZ.

Fishing Villages and Fishermen

Belize, especially Hopkins, is known for its fishing villages, where fresh fish is readily available. When the frigate birds circle, it's a sign that the fishermen have returned with their catch. You can head to the fishermen's shack and choose from a variety of fresh fish, typically sold for $2.50 US/$5 BZ per pound or $5 US/$10 BZ for a fillet.

Local Restaurants and Cafes

Local restaurants and cafes in Belize, such as Chaa Creek's Mariposa Restaurant, Macal River Camp, and The Guava Limb Cafe, showcase the exceptional flavours of the region by using fresh ingredients sourced from local producers and organic farms. By dining at these establishments, you not only get to enjoy delicious meals but also support the local economy.

Frequently asked questions