Belize Exports: Where Do They Go?

Belize's exports go to a variety of countries, with the United States and the United Kingdom being the largest importers of Belizean goods. In 2022, the US imported $86.5 million worth of goods from Belize, while the UK imported $64.3 million. Other major destinations for Belize's exports include Guatemala, Spain, Honduras, and Trinidad and Tobago. The country's exports include raw sugar, bananas, bran, refined petroleum, crustaceans, and frozen orange juice concentrate. Belize's economy is largely based on agriculture, tourism, and services, with tourism being the largest foreign exchange earner.

Belize's exports to the United States

Belize's exports go to over 80 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and growing markets like Hong Kong, Egypt, and Pakistan. In 2022, Belize's exports were valued at $399 million, with the United States being the top destination, receiving $86.5 million worth of exports.

The United States is a significant trading partner for Belize, accounting for 42.5% of its overall imports and being its second-largest export destination, receiving 23% of exports or $45.3 million in 2019. In 2023, the US received 28% of Belize's exports, valued at $71 million. The exports to the US include sugar, bananas, seafood, apparel, and crude petroleum.

Another important export to the US is seafood. Belize exports lobster, shrimp, scale fish, conch, and sea turtles, with substantial amounts going to the United States. Shrimp farming, in particular, is significant, with significant US private investments in shrimp farms under the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI).

The apparel industry in Belize has also benefited from US trade preferences, allowing for duty-free re-import of finished apparel cut from US textiles, leading to the expansion of the industry.

Overall, Belize's exports to the United States contribute significantly to its economy, with the US being its top trading partner and destination for many of its key exports.

Belize's exports to the United Kingdom

Belize's exports go to over 80 countries, from large traditional markets like the United Kingdom and the USA, to smaller markets like St. Maarten and Aruba. In 2019, the UK and the US absorbed about 57% of Belize's goods. In 2022, the UK was the second-largest importer of Belize's goods, with $64.3 million worth of exports going to the UK. Belize's exports to the UK include raw sugar, bananas, bran, refined petroleum, and crustaceans.

Belize has a developing free-market economy, with a focus on tourism, agriculture, and services. The country has an open, private sector-led economy, and tourism is the nation's largest foreign exchange earner. Belize covers 8,867 square miles and has an estimated population of 398,050 inhabitants (as of July 2018). The country has a small export basket of goods, with sugar, bananas, and orange juice dominating its export market.

In recent years, Belize has seen a decline in the production of traditional export products such as petroleum, shrimp, banana, and citrus due to various factors such as destruction of forests and disease. As a result, Belize has been pushing for the diversification of its export market by enhancing the development of industries such as honey, cattle, poultry, turmeric, and cacao.

Belize's exports to the UK are significant for the country's economy, and it continues to be one of the top importers of Belizean goods. The UK's proximity to Belize and their membership in the European Union (EU) also make it a favourable market for Belizean exports.

Belize's exports to Guatemala

Belize's exports go to 78 countries worldwide, with the United Kingdom, the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, and Ireland being the top five export destinations in 2021. In 2019, the country's main export partners were the United Kingdom, the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and Guatemala.

• Tilapia
• Yellow maize
• Black beans
• Rice
• Toilet paper
• Doors
• Windows
• Wooden and wicker furniture
• Raw sugar
• Bananas
• Bran
• Refined petroleum
• Crustaceans
• Frozen orange juice

Belize has a trade deficit with Guatemala, meaning it imports more from Guatemala than it exports. However, there are opportunities for Belize to increase its exports to Guatemala, especially in products that Guatemala currently imports from other countries, such as orange juice and frozen shrimp.

Belize's exports to Spain

Belize's exports go to a variety of countries, with the United States, the United Kingdom, Guatemala, Spain, and Honduras being the top five destinations for exports in 2022. In this same year, Belize exported a total of $399 million worth of goods, making it the 175th largest exporter in the world.

Spain is the fourth-largest importer of Belizean goods, receiving $28.7 million worth of exports from Belize in 2022. The exports going to Spain are likely to be similar to Belize's top exports, which include raw sugar, bananas, bran, refined petroleum, and crustaceans.

Belize's economy is small and based primarily on agriculture, tourism, and services. The country has a developing free-market economy and is considered vulnerable, with a small export basket of goods. In recent years, Belize has been attempting to diversify its exports by increasing production of grains, beans, animal feed, woods, and marine products.

Belize's exports to Trinidad and Tobago

Belize's exports go to over 80 countries, with the United Kingdom and the United States being the country's biggest importers. In 2021, Belize exported goods worth US$264 million. In 2019, the export figure was BZ$413 million, with the UK and the US accounting for 57% of Belize's exports.

Trinidad and Tobago is one of Belize's top export partners. In 2019, Belize exported goods worth BZ$19,683,339 to Trinidad and Tobago, making it the third-largest destination for Belizean exports that year. In 2021, Belize's exports to Trinidad and Tobago were worth US$19 million, with a partner share of 1.77%.

Belize's top exported products include frozen orange juice concentrate, frozen rock lobster and other sea crawfish, and brans, sharps, and other residues of maize (corn). Sugar, bananas, and orange juice continue to be the main products that account for most of Belize's exports. Some export diversification is taking place, with increased production of grains, beans, animal feed, woods, and marine products.

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