According to new data published by the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB), Belize’s export revenues were up more than 10 percent for the first four months of 2021. The SIB’s latest External Trade Bulletin showed that export revenues for the period January to April 2021 totaled $126.5 million, up 12.8 percent ($14.4 million) from the same period last year.
There were several export categories that saw increases in earnings, with sugar and animal feed recording the most substantial growth over the four-month period. Despite these successes, some exports still saw declines in their sales. These included citrus products and bananas. According to breakingbelizenews.com, revenues from citrus exports declined by more than $3 million, from $15.9 million in 2020 to $12.9 million in 2021, due for the most part to reduced sales of orange concentrate. Revenue from the sale of bananas went down by $2.3 million over the four-month period, from $29.2 million to $26.9 million.