The Economic Situation of the Citrus Industry in Belize, Central America : A Focus on the Trends and International Forces in the Belizean Citrus Industry

Abstract

The author focuses on current economic trends of the Belizean citrus industry. Much of the data collected came from an internship completed within Belize. The internship's purpose was to acquire land information for an environmental I conservation project. The report focuses on Belize's small citrus industry within the context of a large international market. In this analysis, the author explains the background of the Belizean citrus industry, along with major players whom effect the international citrus market. Belize's citrus industry has been failing in recent years. The causes of this downfall are examined, such as high low world prices for citrus and an oversupply of citrus. In addition, Belize's dependency on the international market has resulted in hard times for Belizean citrus farmers. Efforts within the country are currently underway to try to save the industry. However, many of these efforts are only addressing short-term solutions and will not work out in the long run. At the end of this analysis, the author offers long-term recommendations that could benefit the citrus farmers and citrus industry of Belize.