Sugar Leads Export Gains in November 2025

Belize earned significantly more from sugar exports in November 2025, helping to push overall export earnings higher while imports fell, according to the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB).

Belize brought in fewer overall goods, with imports valued at $208.4 million, nearly 10 percent lower than the same month in 2024. The biggest drop came from machinery and transport equipment, as there were fewer large purchases like aircraft and industrial machines.

Exports moved in the opposite direction. Belize earned $24.8 million from exports in November, about 10.5 percent more than the same month last year. Earnings were driven mainly by sugar, which more than doubled, followed by stronger exports of bananas and cattle. At the same time, earnings from molasses, marine products, and citrus declined, with citrus affected by weaker grapefruit concentrate sales.

Trade with key partners showed mixed results. Exports to the European Union rose to $4 million, supported by sugar and banana sales, while Mexico recorded higher cattle shipments. Earnings from CARICOM climbed to $7.8 million, boosted by sugar and pineapple concentrate. However, exports to the United States fell, mainly due to lower conch exports and the absence of molasses or alcoholic beverage shipments.

Overall, between January and November 2025, Belize spent about $2.64 billion on imports, slightly less than last year, while earning $365.5 million from exports, also lower than in 2024. The figures suggest that although November showed some improvement in key exports, the country’s trade performance for the year remains weaker than in 2024.