Dated May 25, 2026, Belize’s cattle industry stands at the cusp of a transformative growth opportunity, with a lucrative high-end beef market in neighboring Mexico now within actionable reach, according to former Agriculture Minister Jose Mai — a lifelong cattle rancher who remains deeply engaged with the sector six months after stepping down for health reasons.
Mai says local producers have already proven they can meet the strict quality standards required by Mexico’s niche premium beef market, following a successful small-scale trial launched after an industry connection proposed the idea during an international cattle show. The initiative traces back to a conversation at a Mexican cattle event, where Guatemalan industry contacts suggested Belize ranchers raise specialty Japanese cattle breeds such as Akaushi, which command premium price points in exclusive global and regional markets.
Two local industry pioneers stepped forward to launch the experimental project: Abram Froese, a long-time member of the Belize Livestock Producers Association (BLPA) who has long advocated for innovation to grow the cattle sector, and Henry Peters, a feedlot owner. Froese used artificial insemination to introduce the Akaushi genetics to his cattle herd, and the first resulting animals were raised and finished in Peters’ feedlot ahead of a tasting to assess meat quality and palatability. Though Mai was unable to attend the tasting after being hospitalized for sudden illness, he says photographs of the finished product confirmed it matched the premium quality niche Mexican buyers actively seek. “The demand is already there in Mexico,” Mai notes. “The only question that remains is whether Belizean producers can scale production to meet that demand and capitalize on this economic opportunity.”
To unlock the full export potential of this new market, Mai emphasizes Belize must first invest in a modern, state-of-the-art domestic slaughterhouse — a critical infrastructure upgrade to meet international food safety and quality standards for cross-border exports.
Alongside outlining the new industry opportunity, Mai addressed growing public speculation surrounding his 2025 resignation from the agriculture ministry, which was initially announced as tied to the need for urgent back surgery. In recent weeks, the public has questioned the shifting narrative around his procedure, after Mai ultimately underwent right knee surgery in Guatemala rather than a back operation.
Mai explained the full sequence of his health issues to clarify the confusion: doctors in Guatemala identified that his long-standing bowlegged condition had forced him to shift his weight unevenly when walking, straining his spine and causing herniated and dislocated discs that led to persistent back and hip pain. The planned initial back surgery was re-evaluated when doctors determined correcting the knee alignment would resolve the posture imbalance that caused the spinal strain in the first place. After the first knee procedure, Mai developed severe pain in his right knee after it took on extra strain while the other leg recovered. He says ongoing physical therapy is addressing the residual discomfort, and he remains on track for a full recovery.
Even while recovering from surgery on the sidelines of official government, Mai has stayed deeply involved in Belize’s agricultural policy and development. He remains an active member of the Ministry of Agriculture’s internal WhatsApp group, regularly offering input and advice to current ministry leadership and staff. He praised his successor, Minister Rodwell Ferguson, saying “Minister Rodwell is holding the fort very well. He has surrounded himself with an excellent technical team, and any leader is only as good as the people around you.”
As a trained agronomist and third-generation agricultural stakeholder (with his own son now also working as an agronomist), Mai called agriculture a core part of his identity, saying “it’s in my veins, I can’t step away even if I wanted to.” He expects to return to lead the Ministry of Agriculture after completing at least eight months of post-surgery recovery, confirming he remains committed to advancing Belize’s agricultural growth and economic opportunity for local producers.