Citrus production plummets to 18-year low: SIB

“The sugar industry experienced its best first quarter performance since 2004”

Sharp downtowns in citrus, crude petroleum and electricity production triggered a slight contraction in the Belize economy for the first three months of 2013 (January to March), the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) announced today.

According to the SIB, the economy contracted by 0.5% for the first quarter—the first contraction for this period since 2009.

“This performance contrasts considerably with growth of 6.1 percent in the same period of 2012,” said the SIB.

“Citrus was the hardest hit, with fruit and juice production declining by about 35 percent and 40 percent, respectively, reaching their lowest point in 18 years,” the SIB report said.

The data showed that overall citrus production fell from 143 tons to 93 tons—a decline of 35%; while sugar production increased from 546 tons to 568 tons—an increase of 4%.

Meanwhile, the production of crude petroleum—said to be the country’s largest export earner—fell for a third straight year.

Likewise, hydro-generation from Chalillo and Mollejón dropped, and the SIB said that this was due to “insufficient rainfall at the hydroelectric plants.” Electricity production fell about 38% during the first quarter of 2013.

Whereas citrus and banana, both negatively impacted by heavy rains in the southern districts, experienced major downtowns, the news from the sugar industry in the north was good.

“Within agriculture, the sugar industry experienced its best first quarter performance since 2004 due to favorable weather conditions and improved factory efficiency,” the SIB noted, adding that sugarcane yields grew by 4% for the period in question.

“The services sector, which accounts for more than three-fifths of the total economy, expanded by 5.3%, supported by strong performances in wholesale and retail distribution and tourism,” the SIB release said.