Belize's Citrus Export Destinations

Belize exports citrus products, including orange and grapefruit juices and by-products, to markets in the Caribbean, Central America, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The country's citrus industry is centred in the Stann Creek District, with significant production also occurring in the Toledo, Cayo, and Orange Walk Districts. The industry began in 1913 when grapefruit trees were imported from Florida and has since grown to encompass nearly 48,000 acres of land.

Belize's Citrus Industry History

Belize's citrus industry is the country's oldest and most important agro-industry. Citrus fruits are one of Belize's largest exports, alongside bananas and sugar.

The Early Days

Citrus fruits are believed to have first appeared in Asia thousands of years ago, eventually making their way to Central America and the Caribbean via European colonists. The first orange seed in the region was planted in Haiti by Christopher Columbus in 1493. By the 16th century, oranges had spread across the globe, but the idea of a sustainable citrus industry was still centuries away.

In Belize, then known as British Honduras, personal citrus groves on private estates are mentioned in records dating back to 1859. However, the country's agricultural sector was not yet thriving, as it was still a British colony, and the mahogany and lumber industries were more lucrative.

The Birth of the Citrus Industry

In the mid-19th century, Belize abolished slavery, and the demand for lumber and mahogany began to wane. Despite this, most of the land was still owned by a small group of white landowners, including former American confederates. In an attempt to maintain their way of life, these landowners experimented with various agricultural practices, relying on indentured servants from India and China.

In the southern territory of Stann Creek, a group of banana farmers proved that agriculture could be profitable in the country. Around the same time, in 1913, Dr. Smith Osborne Browne, the colonial doctor at Stann Creek, imported grapefruit from Florida and began planting citrus orchards. Browne was joined by two other investors, Alfred Edward Vine and William Alexander Jex Bowman, who together imported 900 budded grapefruit trees. For the first 12 years, the business struggled due to the dominance of the American citrus industry. However, in 1924, regular exports of grapefruit began, with shipments to Canada and the United Kingdom.

The British Honduras Citrus Association

In 1934, local farmers formed the British Honduras Citrus Association (BHCA), taking control of their labour and rapidly growing the industry. By the late 1930s, other farmers became involved in citrus planting, and the industry continued to expand, even through World War II. By 1960, nearly 80% of all citrus groves in Belize belonged to just three entities.

Expanding Citrus Trade

Belize gained independence in 1981, but challenges remained, including territorial tensions with neighbouring Guatemala and competition from American citrus producers. However, the implementation of the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) gave Belizean citrus producers an advantage in the market, allowing them to undercut their competition. As a result, the industry boomed, and citrus remains one of the country's most prominent crops.

Citrus Products of Belize

The company's products include Citrus Valley Squash, Caribbean Pride Tetra Pack, and Citro Pulp. These products are exported to the Caribbean and Central America.

The citrus industry in Belize began in 1913 when three investors imported 900 budded grapefruit trees from Florida, planting them in the Stann Creek Valley. The industry has experienced fluctuations but remains one of the country's largest agricultural exports.

Citrus Concentrate Exports

The citrus trade became significant in the 1980s when Belizean-produced citrus concentrate was exempt from United States tariff duties under the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI). This allowed Belize to compete with other citrus-producing countries and increase its exports. Citrus Products of Belize Ltd., the country's premier citrus processor, plays a crucial role in the citrus concentrate exports. The company maintains a 20% stake in the country's annual fruit production and provides concentrated juices and premium non-concentrated juices to domestic and international markets.

Belize's citrus industry offers a range of products, including orange and grapefruit concentrates, single-strength juices, juice blends, and bottled spring water. The main product is concentrate, produced by removing water from orange or grapefruit juice using heat or a freeze concentration process. The highest quality concentrate produced in Belize is called Top Juice, made using the freeze concentration method.

The Stann Creek District, particularly the Stann Creek Valley, is the primary region for citrus production in Belize. However, other districts, such as Toledo, Cayo, and Orange Walk, also contribute to citrus farming. The country's favourable climate and dedicated acreage for citrus cultivation, with nearly 48,000 acres, ensure a consistent supply of citrus fruits for the concentrate industry.

Belize's citrus concentrate exports have brought economic benefits to the country, with income from the citrus industry increasing significantly from $33 million in 2002 to $95 million in 2011. The industry's growth and global demand for citrus products have contributed to this positive impact on the economy.

Citrus Production in Stann Creek District

Citrus production in Belize's Stann Creek District, particularly in the Pomona Valley and Stann Creek Valley, has been a significant part of the country's agricultural sector for over a century. The district is known for its ideal conditions for growing citrus fruits, with suitable temperatures, rainfall, soil fertility, and soil type.

The history of citrus production in the Stann Creek District dates back to the early 20th century. In 1913, Dr. Smith Osborne (S.O.) Browne, the colonial surgeon for the Stann Creek District, along with Alfred Edward (A.E.) Vine and William Alexander Jex (W.A.J.) Bowman, imported 900 budded grapefruit plants from Florida and planted them in the Stann Creek Valley. This initiative marked the beginning of the citrus industry in Belize. However, it wasn't until the 1920s that the citrus trade gained momentum, with the first shipments of grapefruit being exported to Canada and the United Kingdom.

Over time, other farmers in the district joined the citrus cultivation, and by the late 1930s, grapefruit was being exported fresh in wooden boxes. The industry faced challenges, such as competition from the United States, and it wasn't until the 1980s that it flourished. This boom occurred when Belizean-produced citrus concentrate became exempt from United States tariff duties under the terms of the CBI. The 1980s saw a significant increase in export receipts from citrus concentrate due to high prices.

The Stann Creek District is known for its grapefruit and orange production, with grapefruit occupying about 25% of the cultivated area in the Stann Creek Valley. The citrus industry in this district is vital to Belize's economy, bringing in substantial revenue. The district is home to processing plants that produce concentrated juices, not-from-concentrate juices, and various citrus by-products.

In recent years, the citrus industry in the Stann Creek District has faced challenges, such as the detection of the Asian Citrus Psyllid and the Citrus Greening disease. However, with the support of organizations like the Citrus Research and Education Institute, efforts are being made to control the spread of diseases and improve the industry's sustainability.

Citrus Trade Partners

Citrus is one of the largest exports within Belize's agricultural sector, alongside bananas and sugar. The country's citrus industry has experienced notable fluctuations over the years but remains a significant part of its economy.

The history of the citrus industry in Belize dates back to 1913 when grapefruit was first introduced to the country. Since then, Belize has developed into a prominent producer and exporter of citrus products, including oranges and grapefruit.

Belize's citrus trade partners have evolved over time, facing challenges such as competition from other citrus-producing countries and fluctuations in world market prices. However, the implementation of favourable trade policies, such as the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI), has helped boost the industry's competitiveness.

One of the primary trade partners for Belize's citrus industry is the United States. The CBI, which adjusted tariffs and taxes in Central America, allowed Belizean citrus producers to gain a competitive edge in the American market. This initiative contributed to the significant growth of the industry in the 1980s.

In addition to the United States, Belize also exports citrus products to other countries in the Caribbean and Central America. Citrus Products of Belize Ltd., a leading citrus processor in the country, supplies concentrated juices, non-concentrated juices, and citrus by-products to private label industries within the Caribbean and Central American markets.

The European market has also been a destination for Belize's citrus exports. In the early days of the industry, Belizean citrus found customers in the United Kingdom, and it continues to be a key trading partner for various agricultural products.

While the United States, the Caribbean, Central America, and Europe are the main markets for Belize's citrus exports, the country also explores other trade opportunities globally. The dynamic nature of the industry and its adaptability to market changes have contributed to the enduring presence of citrus as one of Belize's prominent exports.

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