Now, while the forum focused on increased productivity for the growing demand of the international market, the reality for Belize is that the export revenue for the primary industries of Belize recently have taken a sharp dip this year. According to data from the Statistical Institute of Belize, the total domestic exports for the month of April 2018 amounted to $27.2 million, registering a decrease of 21.9% or $7.6 less than exports for April of last year.
In the month of May the steep down turn continued. According to SIB, export revenue for that month was just under $58 million, representing a decrease of 20.2% or $14.6 million dollars less.
In April sugar had the steepest decline in export earnings. In May, sugar, banana and citrus showed the greatest losses.
When we spoke to the Ministry of Agriculture today we asked him about these negative figures and the outlook for domestic exports in Belize.
In May, the decline of sugar was a result of sharply reduced prices for bulk sugar in the EU market and the decline in citrus exports was as a result of a drop in sales of orange concentrate.
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