“Imports down by a little, Exports up by a lot says Statistical Institute of Belize

By BBN Staff: Belize’s imports were down while exports were up by over 80 percent for the month of April, according to the latest data released by the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB).

The SIB’s External Trade Bulletin (ETB) said that imports for the month of April valued $147.4 million; 5.7 percent or $8.8 million decrease from the same month in 2018, which totaled $156.2 million. Three import categories had notable decreases in their values; these were ‘Machinery and Transport Equipment’ declined by $10.3 million, from $37.7million in April 2018 to $27.4 million in April 2019. Goods meant for the ‘Commercial Free Zones’ diminished by $9.3million, from $23.8 million to $14.5 million, and ‘Chemical Products’ category down $5.2 million, from $17.7 million in April 2018 to $12.5 million in April 2019.

Despite those reductions, imports of ‘Mineral Fuels and Lubricants’, ‘Food and Live Animals’ and ‘Other Manufactures’ all grew markedly for the month.

Exports for the month totaled $48.7 million which represents an increase of 81.9 percent or $21.9 million when compared to exports for April 2018. Sugar was the primary driver behind the export boom with revenues moving up from $1.6 million in April 2018 to $20.9 million in April 2019. Bananas also saw a major increase, going from $6.9 million last year to $8.3 million this year, an increase of $1.4 million.

Some commodities did see decreases in revenues. Citrus products and Marine exports fell by $1.3 million and $100,000 respectively

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