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At an SIB press conference this morning, the GDP for the 4th quarter of the year was disclosed. According to the experts, the country's GDP performance in this last quarter was down. Here's more from Statistician 2 Jacqueline Sabal, on how last year's extended drought contributed to the economic downturn:

Jacqueline Sabal - Statistician II
"If we look at what each sector contributed to the total GDP in the 4th quarter of 2019, the sector with the largest contribution was the tertiary sector, which accounted for over 60% of production. The secondary sector accounted for roughly 10.2%, while the primary sector, 8.3%, and the remaining, 14.8 % are in taxes."

"For the 4th quarter of October to December 2019, Belize produced goods and services totaling 669.9 million dollars. This represents a decrease of 19 million dollars or 2.8 percent when compared to the 4th quarter of 2018."

"Looking specifically at the 4th quarter GDP at constant prices over the last 6 years, the largest 4th quarter growth recorded was in 2017, at 3.9%, and 2015, at 3.8%. Now the 2.8% decline experienced in the 4th quarter of 2019 is the only 4th quarter decline recorded over the last 6 years. In fact, it is the only 4th quarter decrease recorded since 2011. This 2.8% decline was mainly due to decreases in both the primary and secondary sectors, as prolonged dry weather conditions triggered reduced or stalled production across several major industries during the quarter."

"Within the primary sector, agriculture, hunting and forestry contracted by 11.4% or $5.5 million, totaling 43 million dollars, while the fishing industry experienced growth of 14.7%, or 1.6 million dollars, bringing the total for the fishing industry to 12.7 million dollars."

Belize has now recorded three successive quarters of negative GDP growth; two quarters of negative growth signals a recession.