标签： Belize

Belize’s inflation rate held steady in September 2025, with a modest 0.6% year-on-year increase, as reported by the Statistical Institute of Belize. However, a closer look reveals significant shifts in the cost of essential goods and services, impacting household budgets across the nation. Housing and utility costs emerged as the primary drivers of inflation. Notably, the price of a 100-pound LPG cylinder surged by 11.6%, rising from $116.58 to $130.07, while rental prices also inched upward, adding financial strain to many families. Dining out became more expensive, with the Restaurants and Accommodation Services category climbing 2.8%, largely due to higher prices at restaurants and cafés. On a brighter note, fuel prices saw a decline, offering some relief to drivers. Regular gasoline dropped by $0.63 per gallon, premium by $0.62, and diesel by $0.18. Over the first nine months of 2025, the overall price increase stood at 1.2% compared to the same period in 2024. Key contributors to this rise included food, housing, dining out, and personal care items, while transport and technology-related costs experienced a downward trend.

Belizeans are increasingly cautious about their spending habits as economic uncertainty looms, according to the latest Consumer Confidence Index released by the Statistical Institute of Belize. The national confidence score for September 2025 dropped to 45.7, down from 46.8 in August, reflecting growing financial apprehension among the population. This decline signals that more households are preparing for tighter budgets in the coming months. Notably, confidence in making significant purchases, such as furniture, vehicles, or appliances, plummeted to 38.7, the lowest among all categories. The outlook for the next twelve months also weakened, with the index slipping to 54.1. The trend was widespread, with Corozal experiencing the sharpest decline, while Stann Creek residents reported a slight uptick in optimism. Rural areas were hit harder than urban centers, highlighting the uneven impact of economic pressures. Interestingly, younger Belizeans aged 18 to 24 bucked the trend, recording a significant rise in confidence to 60.0, the highest of any age group. Analysts attribute the overall decline to rising prices and persistent economic instability, which continue to weigh heavily on families across the nation.

Belize’s economic landscape is under mounting pressure, as revealed by the latest trade report from the Statistical Institute of Belize. The data highlights a concerning trend: the nation is importing significantly more while its exports struggle to keep pace. In September 2025, Belize’s imports surged to $251 million, marking a $20 million increase compared to the previous year. Key imports included fuel, food, and heavy machinery, with rising costs for essentials like gas and cooking gas exacerbating the situation. Notably, imports of baby formula, cereal, and frozen fries also climbed, reflecting a growing reliance on foreign goods and higher consumer prices. On the export front, Belize earned just $31 million, a marginal increase from last year. The sugar industry, a cornerstone of the economy, suffered a significant blow, with sugar sales plummeting by over $26 million this year. This decline has left farmers and workers in the sector facing substantial losses. Despite these challenges, there are glimmers of hope. Lobster exports rose by more than $8 million, bean sales increased by nearly $4 million, and cattle exports also saw growth, helping to offset the decline in sugar revenue. The United Kingdom remains Belize’s largest trading partner, followed by the United States and Mexico. However, the widening trade deficit underscores the urgent need for strategic economic interventions to stabilize the nation’s financial health.

In a significant legal development, the High Court has postponed the trial of businessman Michael Feinstein and Stake Bank Enterprise, following a dispute over the introduction of new evidence. The case, which dates back to April 2024, involves allegations of fraud brought by Atlantic Bank Limited. The bank claims it provided $62 million to Stake Bank Enterprise for the development of Stake Bank Island into a cruise ship docking facility. However, Feinstein is accused of securing title to a 23.5-acre island extension in his own name, bypassing the company. The trial, initially set to commence today, was halted after Feinstein’s legal team, led by King’s Counsel Richard Salter, appealed a decision by Justice Rajiv Goonetilleke, who denied their request to introduce new evidence. The Court of Appeal is expected to hear the matter next week, with a virtual session tentatively scheduled for November to determine the trial’s resumption. Meanwhile, Justice Goonetilleke has ordered Atlantic Bank to cover the legal costs for Feinstein and Stake Bank Enterprise, which is currently in receivership. Representing Atlantic Bank is Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay, while Senior Counsel Dean Barrow represents Stake Bank Enterprise. Upon exiting the courtroom, Feinstein expressed his disappointment, stating, ‘It is a sad day when the government takes the side of banksters.’ His attorney, Richard Salter, declined to comment on the application before the Court of Appeal.