Shipyard, Orange Walk District, Thurs. Sept. 9, 2021– Today a third shipment of cattle, consisting of 195 live animals, was exported by Belizean livestock farmers in Shipyard to SuKarne, a Mexican meat processing company in Michoacán. Our local farmers reportedly earned an estimated BZ$164,000 from the transaction. So far, the fledgling export initiative has generated $1.3 million in revenue through the sale of approximately 1,476 live animals.

After the health condition of the animals was assessed, they were transported to the border for quarantine and later sent onward on their journey to Michoacan. The Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA ) and its Mexican equivalent, the National Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety, and Quality Service (SENASICA), have been collaborating on enforcing measures that ensure that exported animals are free of any underlying illnesses such as tuberculosis, brucellosis and any other bovine diseases.

This new arrangement for export of cattle to Mexico became possible after negotiations in August on cooperation between Belize and Mexico in cattle export and certification of Belize’s operation. This partnership has afforded Belize a trade connection with the largest beef, pork, and chicken exporter in Mexico and provides Belize with access to more markets worldwide. Belize’s beef cattle industry is projected to further expand, as the Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise, Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, has mentioned efforts to improve the quality of beef in the national herd through genetics-based efforts. Stakeholders in the industry in Belize are further hoping to establish more trade relations with Guatemala and Mexico.