Belize is only country in the Caribbean, Central America that is self-sufficient in soybean, is exporting soybean & soybean oil – Agriculture Minister Jose Abelardo Mai

Soybean field – Photo Credit: MAFSE

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: “Belize is the only country in the Caribbean and Central America that is self-sufficient in soybean and is exporting both soybean and soybean oil,” Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise said in the House of Representatives the other day.

“Soybean production increased from 59.8 million lbs to 64.2 million lbs, putting Belize in an enviable position in both Caricom and Central America as we are the only country in this region that is self-sufficient in soybean production.”

Last year, Mai said that Belize has gone from no soybean production in the 1990’s, to self-sufficiency by 2021 when the country produced a record 38 million pounds or 380,000 bags of soybean from 28,000 acres that were planted.

According to Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security (MAFSE) estimates, in 2022 farmers planted 36,000 acres and harvested over 55 million lbs. Belize became able to export soybean meal to Caribbean countries and Guatemala.

Belize has been making steady progress in this field exporting soybean oil to Guyana in 2017, and now soybean meal. Belize has been exporting soybean oil to Jamaica, Guyana, and Costa Rica. As for soybean meal, the first export of the product was done in 2023 to Trinidad and Tobago.

When soybean is processed, soybean oil is extruded from it. What is left is the soybean meal which is normally mixed with corn and sorghum and used as animal feed.

And talking about sorghum, last year Belize also saw a marked increase.

According to Minister Mai, sorghum’s production rose from 45.6 million lbs to 66.3 million lbs. This increase boosted its value to the economy of Belize by 131% from $12.9 million to $29.8 million dollars.

First export of soybean meal to Trinidad and Tobago in 2023 – Photo Credit: MAFSE

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.

© 2024, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.