Agricolture  

The Belizean economy is based principally on agriculture; however during the last five years, they had a substantial increase in the Services Sector and mainly in tourism and financial fields.
The most important agricultural  exported products are: sugar, citrus and bananas. Presently, agriculture is producing the 71% of the commercial balance of the Country, employing about 29% of the total labour force.
Sugar represents 60% of  agricultural products’ export, especially the sugar cane, which is used for producing sugar as well as row material to make ethanol.
Sugar canes grow especially in the northern of Belize . About 50% of the sugar’s production is sold to the European Union on the basis of “EU Sugar Protocol” and the “Special Preferential quota”. Sugar exports  to the United States are duty free, thanks to the CBI (Caribbean Basin Initiative).
During the last ten years, the  increase of citrus export surpassed 24% yearly,
so that this sector is the most developed of agriculture. The citrus production is concentrated  in Stann Creek and Cayo Districts. The harvest and manufactures are carried out between October and July and the most important varieties are  “Valencia” and “Temple”.
More than 95% of  fresh citrus is transformed  in natural juice, not derived from concentrated juice, and exported direct to Great Britain.
USA, Europe, Japan and CARICOM are the principal importers of citrus fruits of Belize.
The Banana’s production is concentrated in the Southern of Belize. The privatization of  banana’s market began in 1985, while previously this sector was  of public property. The varieties growing in Belize are “Cavendish”, one of the most common type. The largest part of banana’s production is exported to Great Britain through the Banana Growers Association (BGA).