For 2020, Honduras was the largest importer of iron and steel sheets in the Central American region with $198 million, it is noted that the main seller was China with 46.15% of the market, equivalent to $330.5 million, being the country with the highest growth in sales.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
During the first quarter of 2020, imports of iron and steel sheets in the countries of the region totaled $208 million, 7% less than what was reported for the same period in 2019, a fall that is explained by the decrease in purchases in Honduras, El Salvador and Costa Rica.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
During the first half of 2019, imports of iron and steel sheets in the countries of the region totaled $446 million, and purchases from companies in Mexico increased by 24% over the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics"]
During the first quarter of 2019, imports of iron and steel sheets in the countries of the region totaled $224 million, 7% less than reported in the same period of 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAPHIC caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
In the first nine months of 2018, purchases of iron and steel sheets in the countries of the region totaled $718 million, 9% more than in the same period in 2017.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
In the first half of the year, iron and steel sheet purchases in the countries of the region totaled $525 million, 2% more than imports in the same period in 2017.
Figures from the information system on the Iron and Steel Sheet Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
In the first quarter of the year, purchases of iron and steel sheets in countries in the region totaled $270 million, 23% more than the amount imported in the same period in 2017.
Figures from the information system on the Iron and Steel Sheet Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
After 2013, 2015 and 2016 saw declines in imports of iron sheets, last year purchases abroad grew by 54%, exceeding $922 million.
Figures from the information system on the Iron and Steel Sheet Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
In 2016 Central American countries imported $645 million worth of iron and steel sheets, 24% less than in 2015.
Figures from the information system on the Iron and Steel Sheet Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAPHIC caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
Imports of iron and steel sheets in Guatemala in 2014 recorded a more than $1 million increase compared to 2013.
Some data in the report:
Imports of rolled products (hot), flat iron or non-alloy steel more than 10mm thick, showed an increase of $3.8 million between 2013 and 2014.
Imports of rolled Products (Cold) flat iron or non-alloy steel, of less than 0.5mm thickness decreased by $3 million between 2013 and 2014, going from $23 million to $20 million imported in 2014.
The union of exporters is preparing a meeting for May with Colombian and Guatemalan companies to look at opportunities offered by the FTA signed between the two countries.
From a statement issued by the Guatemalan Exporters Association (Agexport):
Under the framework of the Export Council for Mesoamerica and the Caribbean at AGEXPORT, the Department of Trade Promotion and ProColombia, held a meeting to organize a major event for next May.
Coffee sales decreased by 30.1%, going from $408.2 million generated in the first quarter of 2012, to $282 million this 2013, ie a decrease of $122.9 million.
Regarding exports of petroleum, iron and steel, these declined by 26.1% and 25.6%, respectively, while rubber fell by 19.3%.
"The Bank of Guatemala (Banguat) reported that as of April, foreign currency exports totaled $3.538 billion, an increase of just 0.7%, compared with the same period in 2012," noted an article in Elperiodico.gt.
The Tikal mining company will appeal for reinstatement after the revocation of three licenses for the exploration of iron on the Pacific coast of Guatemala.
The announcement was made by Enrique Fernández Toledo, advisor and legal representative to the subsidiary company of Mayan Iron Corporation.
The Minister of Energy and Mines (MEM), Alfredo Pokus, announced in a press conference on 29 June that the project will not exceed its exploration phase.
The Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM), has closed the project due to non-compliance of requirements by Tikal Minerals Company.
Minister Alfredo Pokus announced at a press conference that the project will not move past its exploration phase and the company involved has no claim options.
"Previously the Ministry of Environment had rejected the Environmental Impact Assessment, a requirement for the start of operations.", reported Prensalibre.com
The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has rejected all iron mining projects in the Pacific coast, for being environmentally unfriendly.
Luis Zurita Tablada, Deputy Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, currently in charge of the ministerial office, sent a letter to Eduardo Villatoro, a conspicuous opponent of such mining, noting that to date the Ministry has not issued any environmental permit to exploit the iron in the Pacific Coast of Guatemala.