In the last twenty years the sugar industry has been growing at an annual rate of 11%, contributing to 3% of gross domestic product.
According to statistics from the Bank of Guatemala, in 2011 sugar exports accounted for 6.2% of total exports from the country.
The 2011-2012 harvest was very favorable achieving record production of 54.3 million quintals and estimates for 2012-2013 are for 55 million quintals, said Armando Boesche, manager of the Sugar Association of Guatemala (Asazgua).
Most investment promotion agencies are not responding to national enquiries by investors in the key sectors of agribusiness and tourism.
From a press release from the World Bank
According to Best Practices Study of Global Investment Promotion (Global Investment Promotion Best Practices) 2012 World Bank, 80 percent of investment promotion agencies are not responding to enquiries by investors in the key sectors of agribusiness and tourism, despite the fact that countries are competing to attract investment.
The Outlook for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Americas: A perspective on Latin America and the Caribbean 2011-2012.
ECLAC, FAO and IICA press release:
San Jose, Costa Rica, October 21 (ECLAC/FAO/IICA). Despite the current context of volatility and high food prices, in the long term, the agricultural sector in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) will be able to take advantage of the opportunities afforded by having available land - albeit concentrated in a few countries- a relative abundance of water, biodiversity and well-educated human resources.
The Outlook for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Americas: A perspective on Latin America and the Caribbean 2011-2012.
ECLAC, FAO and IICA press release:
San Jose, Costa Rica, October 21 (ECLAC/FAO/IICA). Despite the current context of volatility and high food prices, in the long term, the agricultural sector in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) will be able to take advantage of the opportunities afforded by having available land - albeit concentrated in a few countries- a relative abundance of water, biodiversity and well-educated human resources.
Along with the growing demand for sugar, credit applications from producers and industrialist in the sector are also growing.
In April, the portfolio of loans granted by the financial system to sugar producers totalled $529 million, 58.5% higher than in the same period in 2010.
"Banco Industrial has the largest number of loans from the sugar sector in its portfolio, with $187 million worth, followed by Banco General de Panamá with (
The Livestock and Agricultural Industry chamber unveiled a plan based on productivity, diversification, quality, environmental sustainability and food safety.
Otto Kuhsiek, president of CAMAGRO, noted that over 1.6 million jobs depend on agriculture, of which 81% are located in rural areas, half of them in family companies and the rest in large-scale, high productivity companies.
The new Food Safety Modernization Law expands FDA powers to inspect production of what is consumed in the country.
The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, signed by President Obama on January 4, "will require all types of producers to assess risks in their operations, implement and effectively monitor measures to prevent contamination and have a plan to undertake corrective action as necessary".
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.
According to the country's agency responsible for encouraging foreign direct investment (FDI), the agro-industrial sector is the most promising and important.
Fanny Estrada, director of the Guatemalan Exporters’ Association (AGEXPORT), commented that in several cases, "while demand exists for a product there is insufficient supply capacity," and added that, "there is potential to increase output in these areas".
Consumers are increasingly looking for food products that reflect their personality and lifestyle.
Food, far more than a simple human need for survival, has become a true reflection of modernity. Consumers purchase a product, not just to stave off hunger, but to fit their particular nutritional, health and esthetic needs and even reflect their commitment to the environment.
Consumers are increasingly looking for food products that reflect their personality and lifestyle.
Food, far more than a simple human need for survival, has become a true reflection of modernity. Consumers purchase a product, not just to stave off hunger, but to fit their particular nutritional, health and esthetic needs and even reflect their commitment to the environment.