Newly released official trade data from Belize’s Statistical Institute paints a sharply divided picture of the country’s external commerce for June 2026, with total merchandise imports jumping by more than a fifth year-over-year even as domestic exports contracted by nearly 8%.
According to the institute’s latest External Trade bulletin, overall imports hit $275.8 million in June 2026, marking a 21.3% increase compared to the same month in 2025. The growth was widespread across nearly all major commodity groups, with just one category – Other Manufactures – posting a monthly decline.
The single largest contributor to the import expansion was the Mineral Fuels and Lubricants sector, which saw a $15.2 million jump to reach $48.2 million for the month. Two key factors drove this rise: elevated global crude and refined fuel prices, plus the resumption of large-scale premium fuel purchases that had been paused for a full 12 months. Following fuel, the Food and Live Animals category recorded a $12.1 million increase, fueled by rising imports of coffee and general grocery goods. Chemical Products also saw substantial growth, adding $9.8 million in import value as fertilizer costs climbed for local buyers.
When looking at cumulative trade activity for the first half of 2026, the import growth trend holds even stronger: total inbound goods reached $1.651 billion, a 19.1% increase compared to the first six months of 2025. Fuel imports again led the way, growing by $92.8 million, while machinery and transport equipment – which included one large aircraft purchase – added another $60.7 million in import value over the half-year period.
On the export side of the ledger, however, the performance told a far different story. Domestic exports from Belize fell 7.9% year-over-year in June 2026, dropping to just $26.0 million. The steepest declines were concentrated in key agricultural export sectors that form the backbone of Belize’s outbound trade: citrus export earnings plummeted by $10.1 million, sugar exports fell by $8 million, and cattle shipments dropped by $4.2 million. Banana and red kidney bean exports also posted lower earnings for the month, extending the downward trend across most agricultural categories.
That said, not all export segments faced headwinds in June. Marine product exports bucked the trend, posting a $3.2 million increase in earnings, supported by both stronger global pricing and higher shipment volumes.
For the full first half of 2026, the export contraction aligns with the monthly trend: total outbound domestic goods hit $166.6 million, representing a 12.7% drop compared to the same six-month period in 2025.