Belizean Agribusinesses strengthen Export Competitiveness through Food Safety and International Trade Training

The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA), the Belize Bureau of Standards (BBS), and BELTRAIDE, successfully hosted a series of capacity-building workshops designed to strengthen the export readiness and competitiveness of Belizean agribusinesses.

The workshops were conducted under the IICA-FAO Letter of Agreement (LoA) initiative, “Enhancing Food Security via the Enhancement of International Trade,” which seeks to improve food security while creating new opportunities for agribusinesses to participate more effectively in regional and international markets.

The workshops focused on Export Marketing and Export Negotiation facilitated by BELTRAIDE, Food Safety Regulations facilitated by BAHA, and Standards in Packaging and Labelling delivered by the Bureau of Standards. This forms part of a broader regional initiative that builds on the outcomes of the Virtual Business Forum held in October 2025.

The initiative targets at least 15 agribusinesses across nine Caribbean countries: Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, with the objective of strengthening export readiness and increasing participation in regional and international markets.

Drawing on country assessments and feedback from recent trade missions, the workshop was tailored to address the specific needs of Caribbean agribusinesses. Participants developed practical skills in creating export value propositions, preparing buyer-ready digital marketing packages, strengthening business-to-business engagement, understanding buyer expectations, and enhancing negotiation strategies for international trade.

Speaking during the workshop, Mr. Willie Chan, IICA Acting Representative in Belize, emphasized the importance of building both technical and commercial capacities within the agrifood sector.

“Belize has tremendous potential to expand its presence in regional and international markets. Achieving this requires not only high-quality products but also strong food safety systems, compliance with international standards, and the business skills necessary to successfully market and negotiate with buyers. Through partnerships such as this, we are helping our agribusinesses become more competitive, resilient, and better positioned to seize new market opportunities.”

Participants also had the opportunity to engage directly with technical specialists and industry experts, gaining valuable insights into buyer expectations and the evolving requirements of international food markets.

IICA extends its sincere appreciation to FAO, BAHA, the Belize Bureau of Standards, and BELTRAIDE for their continued collaboration and commitment to strengthening Belize’s agrifood sector. Their collective expertise has been instrumental in delivering practical, high-quality training that supports the sustainable growth of agribusinesses.

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