Enhancing Barranco Botanics, a Small Coastal Company Making Marine-Based Soaps with 100% Belizean Ingredients
The project aims to build a self-sustaining, financially viable marine-based soap business in Barranco Village, Belize. Given that Belize’s blue economy strategy prioritizes sustainable marine resource use, Barranco Botanics will collaborate with the Belize Women’s Seaweed Farmers Association and local suppliers to address key challenges such as limited production capacity and an undersized facility. The project focuses on expanding into a fully equipped production space and launching a new seaweed-based liquid soap line, ultimately enabling business growth, expanding seaweed purchases from local farmers, and creating new employment opportunities for women in Barranco.
Grantee
Barranco Botanics
Location
Barranco Village, Toledo
Thematic Area
Time-frame
February 2026 – May 2027
Project Goal:
To create a self-financing, sustainable and mature seaweed industry for Belize.
Project Objectives:
- By February 2027, Barranco Botanics strengthens its business performance by doubling bar soap production, introducing a new liquid seaweed soap product line, and expanding operational capacity through staff growth, facility upgrades, and improved workspace efficiency.
- Establish and document core responsible business practices in governance, community relations, sourcing, and financial management to meet the requirements and submit a B Corp Certification application by February 2027.
Expected Outputs:
- Barranco Botanics has moved operations to an expanded, secure, and fully equipped soap facility with solar-compatible infrastructure, including five louver windows, one rolling shutter, and stainless-steel racks and tables, ensuring smooth operations before the rainy season.
- Two-fold increase in sales of bar soaps.
- A new seaweed liquid soap product line has been developed and launched.
- Seaweed soap production knowledge-sharing sessions held with school students in Toledo.
- Responsible sourcing of ingredients used in soap production is transparent and verifiable, ensuring consistent compliance with environmental and social standards across all suppliers.
