Cigarettes Dominate Free Zone Imports Despite PM’s Claim

Prime Minister John Briceño insists cigarettes aren’t king in the Corozal Free Zone, but the numbers tell a different story. According to the Statistical Institute of Belize, imports through Belize’s commercial free zones jumped by over ten million dollars in the first ten months of 2025 compared to the same period last year. And what’s driving that surge? You guessed it, cigarettes. They made up a whopping thirty-two percent of all imports, totaling close to a hundred million dollars. So, while the PM says tobacco isn’t ruling the zone, the stats suggest it’s wearing the crown.

 

Ronald Orellana, Statistician II, SIB

“Following commercial freezones that were up by ten point three million, from two and ninety-one point eight million to three hundred and two point one million, owing to increase of imports from cigarettes.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Where the commercial freezones are concerned, of the two major freezones here in Belize, what percentage or figure did cigarette import contribute to the overall increase. You said cigarette imports in the main contributor.”

 

Roland Orellana

“I can get that for you after the presentation.”

 

According to Orellana, cigarettes imports saw a twenty million dollars net increase this year, compared to 2024.