Puerta del Istmo, Centro Logístico Quetzal and ZDEEP Piedras Negras, are the projects advancing in Guatemala in the process of becoming Zones of Special Public Economic Development.
Because Guatemalan authorities have not yet completed the health control program, local producers cannot export live cattle to Mexico, where they could sell between 10,000 and 15,000 head a month.
For Guatemalan cattle ranchers, Southern Mexico is an attractive market, because there is interest on the part of Mexican businessmen to buy standing cattle at better prices than those quoted in Guatemala.
By analyzing the behavior of the global market, it is established that Holland, Switzerland and Germany are willing to pay a higher price for a distinctive cup of coffee.
Between the Committee of Distinguished Coffees of the guild of exporters of Guatemala and the European Union, they carried out the study called "Trends and Opportunities of exportation of coffee with added value", in which the price of coffee in 77 cities of the world was compared.
As a result of a decline in demand from some trading partners, Guatemalan exports of processed food and beverages decreased by 10% during the first quarter of the year compared to the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Bank of Guatemala report that from January to March 2019, Guatemalan exports of processed food and beverages totaled $292 million, 10% less than the amount reported in the same period of 2018.
Because the implementation of the Central American Single Declaration continues to generate problems in customs in the region, the contingency plan for DUCA F and DUCA was extended until June 27.
"If you use the Contingency Plan, we suggest that you make sure you arrive at the destination country with the DUCA F and DUCA T duly processed and the supporting documents," reported the Guatemalan Association of Exporters.
In order to successfully market fresh food, in addition to an attractive presentation to the market, good logistical performance is essential, which is expressed in terms of freshness, availability, and reasonably low logistical costs.
The fresh food sector is booming within the general food trade. For the success of its commercialization, besides an attractive presentation for the market and being able to offer a wide variety of products, also a good logistic performance is very important, which is expressed in terms of freshness, availability, and reasonably low logistic costs.
Since there are still difficulties arising from the implementation of the Single Central American Declaration, the Contingency Plan for DUCA F and DUCA T was extended until 17 June.
Central American customs authorities agree to maintain in force the Contingency Plan for DUCA F and DUCA T, until June 17, 2019, at 23:59 hours. If the Contingency Plan is used, we suggest that you make sure that you arrive at the destination country with the DUCA F and DUCA T duly processed and the supporting documents," explains a statement from Agexport. See full document.
On May 24, a delegation of 12 companies from the South American country will visit Guatemala to offer local distributors foods such as avocado, apples, asparagus, blueberries and others.
The event, promoted by the Guatemalan Chamber of Commerce, will be held in a hotel south of the Guatemalan capital. There, 30-minute appointments will be held with each of the companies interested in participating.
Until May 20, the validity of the regional contingency plan was extended to customs, which was activated because of the difficulties generated by the use of the Central American Single Declaration.
Since May 7, when the Single Central American Declaration (DUCA) was implemented at the regional level, the situation in customs has been complicated, because of multiple difficulties reported in the import and export processes arising from the implementation of the new system.
Because the entry into force of the Central American Single Declaration has generated delays in the import and export processes, a contingency plan will be implemented at all customs offices in the region.
By agreement of the Council of Ministers of Economic Integration (COMIECO), on May 7 the Single Central American Declaration (DUCA) was implemented at the regional level, a situation that has generated many difficulties arising from the implementation of the new system in the import and export processes.
With the entry into force of the Single Central American Declaration, businessmen in the region report losses because of the delays generated by the implementation of the new system in the import and export processes.
At the end of March, a report was made that the Council of Economic Ministers (COMIECO) agreed to postpone to May 7, 2019, the entry into force of the Single Central American Declaration (DUCA), which had initially been set for April 1, 2019.
To solve the congestion problem affecting Guatemala's port network, it is estimated that at least $133 million needs to be invested to improve the operations of current terminals.
The average standard for port operation is on average 50%, however, currently the country is reaching occupancy limits above 60%, which means that they are reaching congested points that make them less efficient.
The costs incurred by businessmen in Nicaragua, because of excessive procedures and low efficiency of foreign trade systems is 25% additional to the value of the goods, while in El Salvador and Costa Rica, amounts to 18% and 16%, respectively.
A study by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) specifies that the costs paid by businessmen in Nicaragua, because of excessive procedures and low efficiency of foreign trade systems is 25.3% additional to the value of the goods, followed by El Salvador with 18.3%, Costa Rica with 16.3%, Honduras with 15.8%, Guatemala with 14% and Panama with 9%.
From 20 to 23 May, an online business meeting will be held with South Korea for companies in the food and beverage sectors.
The Secretariat for Central American Economic Integration (SIECA) coordinates the "Virtual Business Roundtable with South Korea," which is aimed at companies in the food and beverage sector, and will be conducted through the Central American Trade Network.
After Nicaraguan authorities imposed in their customs a $50 payment to each cargo vehicle transiting through their territory, Costa Rica requested a meeting to review the issue.
On March 15 of this year, Nicaraguan authorities began to collect a customs tax on the transportation of cargo in transit or with final destination in the country, which consists of the payment of $50 for each transport unit of goods that passes through land customs.