According to the article published by the Prensa Libre daily, "...the chemical subsector is in first place with $900 million in exports, followed by food at $275 million, and construction materials at $208 million and then plastics at $138.4 million."

It is expected that in 2009 Guatemala will have many opportunities to get low volume order in specialized markets, especially in Mexico and the United States.

Source: prensalibre.com

More on this topic

Non-Traditional Exports Growing in El Salvador

July 2012

In the past three years exports of nontraditional products have seen an increase of $900 million.

The head of the ministry of economy, Armando Flores, on the occasion of the presentation of the Accountability Report noted that in the last year alone the increase has been $290 million.

Guatemalan Exports Grow by 22%

July 2011

The exporters' association estimates that this year foreign sales will exceed $10 billion.

The rise in international demand and improved prices has led the Guatemalan association of exporters (Agexport) to revise upward its forecast for exports this year.

In early 2011, industry representatives predicted an increase of just 8%, well below the current estimated range of 18% to 22%.

Non-traditional Products Account for 45% of Exports

August 2010

In the first five months of the year, Honduran exports of non-traditional products totaled $575 million.

According to the Honduran Central Bank's Foreign Trade Report, sales of non-traditional products totaled $1.27 billion in the period.

The general manager of the country's Federation of Agricultural Exporters (FPX) told Laprensa.hn that, "it's good news because it's important for Honduras to export more non-traditional products than coffee and bananas since prices of these fluctuate and non-traditional industries have historically had a buffering effect. However it is hoped that these products can increasingly take a more central role".

Non Traditional Exports On The Rise in Guatemala

April 2010

Exports of nontraditional products are growing at a faster pace than exports of traditional ones (coffee, banana, cardamom and sugar).

In 2009 total exports summed $7.23 billion. Of them, $5.41 billion corresponded to nontraditional goods (74.9%).

“Data from Banguat shows that in 1980 the country exported $1.52 billion, of which $633 million were traditional goods and $886.4 million were nontraditional ones (58.3%)”, reported Sigloxxi.com.