Historical Overview

Overview :

When Belize was still a British colony in the late nineteenth century, plantations were first built by American and British investors. This marked the beginning of the country's banana industry. The pattern of banana production has gradually changed over the past 70 years, moving from large-scale production by American and British-owned companies to smaller-scale, locally-oriented indigenous farming that is mainly aimed at the European market.

A Banana Control Board was established in 1975, reorganizing the banana business. The Banana Growers Association took over after this and is currently in charge of running the sector. At present, the Stann Creek and Toledo Districts have somewhat more than 6,175 acres planted with bananas.