By: Omar Silva, NP Staff Writer

Sunday: 19th February 2023

The export of cattle from Belize to Mexico is expected to slow down this year due to several factors, including a decline in demand from Mexican buyers and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on commercial activity. However, the CEO of the Ministry of Agriculture, Servulo Baeza, suggests that there are positive outcomes for the cattle industry despite this downward trend. Last December saw the largest number of cattle being exported to Mexico since the fifteen percent import duty on cattle was waived for Belizean Livestock Farmers. A total of four hundred and ninety heads of cattle valued at $650,000 were exported, compared to January 2023, with the first shipment tallying about one hundred and sixty heads which generated a total of $230,877.

Baeza explains that the decrease in exports this year is partly due to the fact that farmers had an excess of cattle that they could not export last year due to market closures. When the markets reopened, the surplus was sold, resulting in over 35,000 heads being exported. This year, Baeza expects that between 25-26,000 heads will still be exported. The decrease in exports is also due to positive factors such as better weather conditions, which allowed farmers to hold on to their cattle longer, and higher prices for cattle, which incentivized farmers to fatten their cattle before selling them.

Overall, Baeza believes that Belizean farmers will have a pretty good year despite the decrease in cattle exports to Mexico, as there are positive factors at play that will benefit the cattle industry.

While the export of cattle from Belize to Mexico may be a relatively small amount in comparison to Mexico's huge importation of cattle on a global scale, it is still an important part of Belize's small economy. Agriculture is a significant contributor to Belize's economy, and the livestock industry is an important subsector of the agricultural sector.

The export of cattle to Mexico provides a source of income for Belizean livestock farmers and helps to support their livelihoods. This income can be particularly important for small-scale farmers who may not have access to other sources of income. Additionally, the export of cattle can contribute to the country's foreign exchange earnings, which can help to support the economy more broadly.

Furthermore, the livestock industry in Belize provides employment opportunities for people involved in various stages of the production process, from breeding and rearing to transportation and processing. As a result, the industry can help to support rural development and alleviate poverty in some areas of the country.

In summary, while the export of cattle from Belize to Mexico may be small on a global scale, it still has significant impacts on Belize's small economy by providing a source of income for farmers, contributing to foreign exchange earnings, and supporting employment and rural development.