The business sector reported sales of $80 million in 2011, mainly of furniture.
Businessmen dealing in wood and furniture at the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport) reported sales of $80.46 million in 2011.
The figure represents 16.35% more than in 2010, when sales totaled $69.15 million reported PrensaLibre.com.
By items, the highest percentage of exports in 2011 were of furniture, with $22.3 million, followed by lumber, with $ 21.9 million, doors, with $10.25 million, and pallets, with $7.2 million.
Exporters hope to do $8 million worth of business at the furniture fair which starts on Tuesday August 2.
Next month sees the start of the Expomueble event, which brings together the leading exporters of wood products in the country, where year after year important negotiations have been finalised.
Representatives from the industry expect that this year will be no exception, and believe that deals close to $8 million will be struck.
In the next five years, Guatemala's wood industry expects to sell twice as much as it does now.
According to the forecasts by Cofama, the sector may export as much as $140 million in 2011.
Cofama is a Guatemalan association that comprises wood and furniture producers. They have unveiled a strategic work plan for the next five years to reach this objective.