In a significant stride toward economic self-sufficiency, Country Foods has inaugurated a state-of-the-art Minsa corn flour production facility in Spanish Lookout, Belize. The $2.8 million investment represents a strategic response to pandemic-era supply chain vulnerabilities and rising food costs.
The new plant, operating under the ‘TAZTY’ brand, boasts an impressive daily production capacity of thirty tons—nearly double Belize’s current national consumption. This substantial output is designed to satisfy domestic demand while simultaneously creating export opportunities for Central American markets.
Prime Minister John Briceño heralded the opening as a testament to Spanish Lookout’s reputation as an economic trailblazer. “This facility positions us not only to meet local demands but to tap into export markets,” Briceño stated during the grand opening ceremony. “The entire country looks at Spanish Lookout as leaders in manufacturing.”
The project’s conception emerged during the COVID-19 crisis when food import dependencies became critically apparent. Heinrich Weibe, Chief Executive Officer of Country Foods, emphasized the company’s commitment to quality and local production: “Every step of our journey has been driven by a shared vision to offer a healthy, authentic, locally produced alternative that is one hundred percent corn.”
Notably, the facility addresses Belize’s substantial import burden—the nation imported over five million pounds of Minsa valued at more than four million dollars in 2024 alone. By localizing production, the operation will conserve foreign exchange reserves while supporting agricultural stakeholders.
Community leader Norman Reimer praised the investment as a cornerstone of national food security, while Area Representative Orlando Habet highlighted the plant’s advanced manufacturing technologies and sustainable practices. The operation is expected to generate substantial employment opportunities while providing stable demand for local corn producers.
Consumers can anticipate TAZTY products appearing on retail shelves nationwide imminently, marking a new chapter in Belize’s agricultural industrialization and food sovereignty efforts.