I recently stumbled upon a post on Facebook that made me smile. It talked about Belize moving toward a thriving coconut industry once again. For me, that news carries a bit of nostalgia, because growing up I often heard stories from my father about the island’s early days. According to his records, San Pedro’s first real industry wasn’t fishing or tourism, it was coconuts.
Back around 1890, large landowners on Ambergris Caye began developing coconut plantations along the island’s coastline. Men from the village were hired to clear long stretches of beachfront, planting coconut trees along nearly 25 miles of shoreline on the northern side of the island. The coconut industry quickly became the backbone of the local economy, long before lobster fishing and tourism would define life here. (Click here to read more about the history of the coconut industry in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye)
But that promising industry was dealt a devastating blow.
In 1931, a powerful hurricane swept through Belize and destroyed much of the coconut plantations on Ambergris Caye. After that storm, coconut farming on the island never truly recovered. Over time, San Pedro’s economy shifted toward fishing and eventually tourism, leaving coconuts mostly as part of the landscape rather than a thriving industry.
Fast forward to today, and Belize may be on the verge of a coconut revival.
The Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) is currently inspecting a new shipment of properly prepared, treated, and packaged de-husked green coconuts that local producers are preparing for export. This effort is being carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and New Growth Industries, marking an encouraging step forward for the country’s agricultural sector.
The development signals a new chapter for Belize, as the private sector begins ramping up production and export opportunities not just for green coconuts, but also dry coconuts, coconut water, coconut oil, and other value-added coconut products. There is also growing international support helping to strengthen the industry.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), working alongside the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), has launched a series of regional coconut training programs in Belize as part of the FAO’s One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative. Under this program, Belize has identified coconuts as a priority commodity with strong potential for sustainable growth.
The training sessions aim to equip farmers, producer groups, and agricultural technicians with knowledge in good agricultural practices, pest and disease management, crop monitoring, and sustainable coconut production techniques. The goal is to strengthen Belize’s production systems, improve resilience to threats affecting coconut cultivation, and ensure consistent, high-quality supply for both local and export markets.
Timing Couldn’t be Better for Coconut
Global demand for coconut products continues to rise, from health-conscious consumers seeking coconut water and oil to industries using coconut byproducts in food, cosmetics, and construction materials. With proper investment, training, and coordination, Belize has an opportunity to carve out its place in this expanding market.
Beyond exports and economic opportunity, the revival of coconut farming also reconnects Belize to a part of its history, especially here on Ambergris Caye, where coconut trees once defined the island’s earliest industry. Heck, it might be possible to start up a coconut enterprise on the island!
In many ways, it feels like history coming full circle. What began as the backbone of San Pedro’s economy more than a century ago could once again become an important part of Belize’s agricultural future, this time with modern technology, stronger global markets, and a renewed commitment to sustainable development.
And who knows? Perhaps the coconut industry that helped shape our past may soon help shape Belize’s next chapter.
