Belize Secures CARICOM Backing to Build Regional Sugar Refinery in 2026

Belize is poised to take center stage in the region’s sugar industry as CARICOM has officially advanced plans for the establishment of the Caribbean Sugar Refinery in Belize, a transformative joint venture expected to begin operations by April 2026. The development was highlighted during the 61st Regular Meeting of COTED, chaired by Belize’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Marconi Leal, in Georgetown, Guyana.  The refinery, designed to produce locally refined, high-quality sugar, is positioned to revitalize the Caribbean sugar sector, which has long struggled with aging infrastructure, high logistics costs, and reliance on imported refined sugar.  Belize stands to gain significantly from hosting the refinery as the facility would make Belize the Caribbean’s main source of refined sugar, expanding its footprint within CARICOM markets and strengthening its position as a key agricultural exporter.  Additionally, Belize would benefit from and rural economic activity through the construction, processing, transport, and ancillary services linked to the refinery are expected to generate employment, particularly in sugar-producing districts such as Orange Walk and Corozal. It would also be beneficial as CARICOM countries currently import refined sugar from outside the region at high logistical costs. Producing it in Belize will cut freight expenses and improve food security within the bloc.  IT is expected that the refinery will stimulate investment in technology, efficiency, and production standards, raising the overall competitiveness of Belize’s sugar sector.  As Minister Leal concluded the COTED session, the announcement was met with strong support from CARICOM Member States, who see the refinery as a flagship project for regional economic transformation, and a major win for Belize’s growing trade and manufacturing sector.///////