As part of the Agritrade Platform, Guatemala will participate for the 27th time in PMA Fresh Summit, the most important international trade show and convention of fruits and vegetables in the United States, which will take place at Anaheim Convention Center, California from October 17th to 19th.
Tropical fruits, fresh vegetables, baby vegetables, among others, will be the Guatemalan supply presented in Fresh Summit in Anaheim California
The goals set by Guatemalan exporters for 2013 include the opening up of the markets of China and Canada for peas, green beans and shrimp.
Revistamyt.com reports that "the new president of Agexport, Estuardo Castillo, revealed some of the most noteworthy projects for the year 2013, through which they are aiming to reach the goal of $12,000 million in exports."
In 2006 exports of allspice reached 1,500 tons, while in 2012 they barely reached 700.
Producers blame a tax of 15 quetzals per quintal, as a check on the production of grain.
The tax has been called anachronistic, since its intent was to protect the pepper trees, growing only in Petén, and which were considered endangered.
Rodolfo Rivera, an allspice producer, notes that "The National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP) raised the tax because before the trees were only produced in Petén and were considered an endangered species, but they are now grown elsewhere and already out of danger. "
Foreign sales of flowers, foliage and ornamental plants increased by 8% in 2012, totaling $81 million, which is $8 million more than last year.
The sector projected for this year an increase of 6.2% in exports. "Businessmen and producers see that it is necessary to promote growth of the sector and view the crisis in European countries as an opportunity", said Brigitte Obrock, coordinator of the commission of Ornamental Foliage and flowers at Agexport.
The proliferation of international trade agreements brings the opportunity to add value to products by adding a mark of origin.
An article in Prensalibre.com quotes Fanny de Estrada, director of Competitiveness of the Guatemalan Exporters Association, who said that "marks of origin are the result of trade agreements. 'One country can demonstrate an interest in many marks of origin, but that's part of the negotiation.
Between January and August Guatemala’s sales to Mexico increased by 16% compared to the same period last year.
The increase in sales to Mexico has generated enthusiasm in the Guatemalan export sector, which is seeking to strengthen trade ties and convert the neighboring country into it's main export destination.
"This is the purpose of the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport) which on the 7th and 8th of October will be aiming to strengthen ties in what has been called the first Macro Business Round for Central America and Southern Mexico.
The leading exporter in Central America is Guatemala, who in the first six months of 2012 sold $93 million worth of vegetables.
"The country's main export products are grown in cold or mild weather.
In the case of tomatos, in 2011 eight thousand 822 hectares were planted, of which 305, 427metric tons were harvested and of these 46, 609 tonnes were exported . The increase in tomato acreage between 2010 and 2011 was 1.8 percent.
The current harvest will not be in time to take advantage of peak consumption which occurs during Ramadan, which this year has been moved forward in the calendar.
An article in Elperiodico.com.gt reports that "Guatemala is the largest exporter of cardamom in the world and supplier to Middle Eastern countries, but this year it will not be able to take advantage of Ramadan, as India, the largest producer, has started its harvest last month. "
The "Encadenamientos Empresariales" (business linking or chaining) program from Agexport will be presented in other countries.
The Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport) has developed the program for five years, supporting and training 54 rural SMEs.
Agexport Development Manager, Ivan Buitrón said to Sigloxxi.com"...each country should adapt the model to their own needs, but the main idea is to promote public-private partnerships and train farmers reducing poverty and improving nutrition."
The Guatemalan industry of ornamental plants, flowers and foliage in Guatemala is growing at an annual rhythm of 10%.
This sector, that generates annual incomes close to $100 million, groups more than 125 companies that produce and export nearly 80 species and 200 varieties of ornamental plants, foliage and flowers, indicated the director of the ornamental plants commission of the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport), Briggitte Obrock.
The city of Antigua has been chosen to hold the agricultural fair AGRITRADE Expo & Conference on 17 and 18 March, 2011.
The event is organized by the Guatemalan Exporters’ Association (AGEXPORT) and seeks to promote the Central American agricultural sector's competiveness and grow business opportunities abroad.
AGRITRADE will unite the region's producers and exporters with a wide variety of international buyers and investors including supermarket chains, wholesalers, importers, distributers and brokers from countries such as the USA, Mexico and those in the Caribbean, Central and South America, and Europe.
In 2009, the country exported 30.2 million pounds of mini-vegetables.
Chinese pea sales also increased (9.7%), according to data from Agexport, the Guatemalan Exporters Association.
Tulio García, executive director of cooperative “Cuatro Pinos”, told newspaper Prensa Libre: “ Guatemala is still the largest supplier of Chinese peas and French string beans to the United States.