UDP says Belizeans not feeling Government’s ‘prosperity’ amid trade deficit and rising costs

By Breaking Belize News Staff: The UDP says Belize’s economic statistics tell a different story from the prosperity being promoted by the Briceño administration, pointing to slower annual growth, a widening merchandise trade deficit and continuing pressure on household expenses.

At Wednesday’s press conference, UDP Chairman Senator Sheena Pitts highlighted weakening exports and challenges in sugar, citrus and other productive sectors while arguing that taxes on fuel ultimately increase the price of virtually everything transported or produced locally.

Official Statistical Institute of Belize figures show merchandise imports reached BZ$807.1 million during January through March 2026, while domestic exports totalled BZ$65.4 million, leaving a merchandise trade deficit of approximately BZ$741.7 million. The transcript appeared to state BZ$87.1 million in imports, but the official figure is BZ$807.1 million.

Government’s 2026/27 budget estimated that real GDP growth slowed from 3.5% in 2024 to 1.9% in 2025 and projected 2.3% growth for 2026. However, more recent SIB data showed Belize’s economy grew 5.1% during the first quarter of 2026, meaning the UDP’s broader assessment of an economy under pressure is a political interpretation of mixed economic indicators rather than evidence that economic activity is uniformly contracting.

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