Central American sales to the European Union totaled USD 3.821 million

By Mayora IP

In 2013 Central American sales to the European Union totaled USD 3.821 million and in 2018 they reached USD 5.360 million, an increase of USD 1.539 million (40.28 percent). Guatemalan products represented 19 percent of total exports. The data was presented on June 27, 2019 in Guatemala City during the biannual meeting attended by representatives of both parties to analyze trade under the Agreement.

The Agreement relies on three complementary and equally important pillars: political dialogue, cooperation, and trade, which reinforce each other and their effects. The EU and Central America are exchanging annually their respective statistics to elaborate a joint analysis, as given the importance of the Panamanian Trade Free Zone, EUROSTAT data tends to overestimate EU exports to Central America. According to the EU, economic integration between the countries of the Central American region is important for attracting investment to the region and helping local businesses develop the strength in their regional market to compete internationally.

In 2018 the main Central America exports to the EU were vegetable products, foodstuffs, beverages, animal or vegetable fats and oils, and medical instruments. Among them: bananas, melons, watermelons, dates, figs, pineapples, avocados, coffee, palm oil, crustaceans, fish preparations and preserves, and orthopedic appliances. "We have discussed how trade has evolved since the agreement entered into forc in 2013. We have come to the conclusion that trade has been progressively increasing in a very positive way for both parties. In principle, our evaluation is very positive”, said Eva Carballeira, Deputy Head of Unit, DG Trade, Latin-America Unit.