Belize’s 2026 National Agriculture and Trade Show (AGRIC 2026), held under the forward-looking theme “Advancing Smart Agriculture,” wrapped up its four-day run having drawn more than 37,800 total attendees, official data from the country’s Ministry of Agriculture confirms. This attendance figure marks a modest uptick from the 2025 iteration of the event, though it remains slightly below the 41,000 visitor milestone set during the 2024 show.
Beyond attendance numbers, the 2026 event delivered notable expansion across key metrics, growing 13% in the number of participating vendors, exhibition booths, and on-site concessions compared to previous years. The show was deliberately structured to showcase both sides of Belize’s agricultural identity: time-honored traditional farming practices that have shaped the nation’s food systems for generations, and cutting-edge agricultural technologies designed to boost productivity and resilience.
One of the most popular and expanded highlights of this year’s event was the traditional Cabalgata, a horseback procession celebrating Belize’s deep-rooted livestock heritage. The event saw explosive growth in participation, jumping from just 34 riders in 2025 to 156 participating equestrians in 2026. The procession was complemented by live music performances and decorative floats that highlighted the cultural significance of livestock rearing to Belizean communities.
Speaking on the event’s outcomes, Minister of Agriculture Rodwell Ferguson attributed the show’s success this year to robust cross-stakeholder collaboration between government agencies, private agricultural producers, technology providers, and local community groups. Ferguson emphasized that the growing scale and engagement at AGRIC 2026 mirrors broader positive trends in Belize’s agricultural sector, particularly the industry’s ongoing shift toward sustainable production practices that can adapt to intensifying climate challenges.
Organizers reaffirmed that the annual National Agriculture and Trade Show has solidified its role as the country’s central platform for three core goals: driving agricultural innovation by connecting producers with new technologies, delivering practical education to farming communities and the general public, and fostering ongoing public engagement with the critical work of Belize’s agricultural sector. Looking ahead, organizers plan to continue expanding the event’s focus on climate-resilient and technology-driven agriculture in coming years.