The Latest Figures of the Economy

A hundred and forty-seven million dollars worth of goods were imported into the country, while exports were down to twenty-five point four million dollars, a fifty-four percent less than the previous month. These are some of the figures released by the Statistical Institute of Belize today. SIB also reports that the cost of living went up. Here’s Isani Cayetano with a breakdown.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

The Statistical Institute of Belize has released figures for the month of March indicating that the importation of goods into the country fell slightly by one point two percent when compared to March 2018.  This year, the value of goods brought into the country stood roughly at a hundred and forty-seven million dollars.  Exports, on the other hand, were down by fifty-four percent last month.  The decrease in three major areas was attributed to goods that were described as “other manufactures”, “designated processing areas” and “mineral fuels and lubricants”.  Those categories fell by five point four million, three million and two point five million dollars, respectively.  Domestic exports for March 2019, were also down considerably, falling from fifty-six million dollars to twenty-five point eight million dollars.

On the Consumer Price Index, the cost of food, airfare and LPG were up, while rent went down.  The average cost of a hundred pound cylinder of butane rose to almost one hundred and fifteen dollars, in contrast to March 2019.  Punta Gorda saw also an inflation of three point three percent, the highest by municipality.