During a presentation by the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) on March 25th, lobster exports were identified as a major contributor to the national economy’s growth in 2025. However, in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, fishermen reported a decline in the number of large lobsters throughout the season.
According to fishermen interviewed on the island earlier this month, following the closure of the lobster season at the end of February, large lobsters were more common in previous years. They indicated that the scarcity of larger catches has reduced overall yields for commercial fishers who typically depend on them. One fisherman noted that while larger lobsters are more common at the start of the season in July, they become harder to find in the following months. Fishers also continue to appeal to authorities for increased enforcement, citing ongoing reports of illegal fishing both during and outside of the open season.
While the Belize Fisheries Department has not yet released a report on the 2025–2026 lobster season, the SIB reported an 8.3% increase in exports of marine products, primarily lobster tails and meat. Shrimp exports also saw a 6.6% rise. According to the SIB, both products contributed significantly to overall export growth in the fishing industry.
Other key contributors to economic performance included bananas, with exports increasing from 19,000 metric tons to 22,800 metric tons.
These gains were recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025. The SIB reported total output of approximately $180.3 million, an 8% increase from $167 million in the same period in 2024.
The SIB also noted that preliminary Gross Domestic Product (GDP) estimates for the fourth quarter of 2025 (October to December) showed that the total value of goods and services produced in Belize reached $1.396 billion. This marked an increase of $63.3 million, or 4.7%, compared to the $1.333 billion recorded in the fourth quarter of 2024.
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