By Zoila Palma: Belize is set to establish its first beef processing plant for the export market following negotiations between cattle owner John Wall of Shipyard, Orange Walk District, and a group of investors, according to Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and New Growth Industries, Rodwell Ferguson.
Ferguson says that he had been seeking investors to address a gap in Belize’s cattle industry, where live cattle are exported while beef processing is largely limited to local consumption.
He credited Glennis Williams with helping to connect him with potential investors, two of whom are Belizean nationals.
The Minister said that the investors spent the week in Belize negotiating with Wall, and both sides reached an agreement.
“We will have the first Beef processing plant in Belize for the export market (Belize Beef Limited),” the Minister stated.
He explained that Orange Walk was selected because it has the largest cattle population in the country and described Wall as one of Belize’s most advanced cattle owners. The plant is expected to have the capacity to process up to 400 head of cattle per day at maximum operation.
The Minister said the facility could create new opportunities for cattle farmers throughout Belize by providing a processing outlet for export markets.
Encouraging farmers to expand cattle production, he stated, “The entire country, can now rear Cattle because we will have a plant.” He added, “Farmers the opportunity is yours.”
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