Steady demand for specialty vegetables and fruits

By Mayora IP

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), from 2014 to 2018 imports of fresh or frozen fruits from Guatemala have increased by 18 percent, resulting in total imports of 5.8 billion pounds in 2018. The fresh vegetable category has remained consistent with an average of 147 million pounds per year over the five year span.

The results were highlighted by the Guatemala Produce Trade Association (GPTA), which aligns leading U.S.  importers and industry service providers towards the goal of positively impacting trade of Guatemala grown fruits and vegetables exported to the U.S. “There has been a consistent import increase of fresh fruits and vegetables from Guatemala,”, said Priscilla Lleras-Bush, Coordinator for the GPTA.

French beans, English peas, baby corn, sugar snap peas, snow peas, blackberries, heirloom tomatoes, baby squash, baby carrots, Brussels sprouts, radicchio, heirloom tomatoes, limes, mango, papaya, rambutan, plantain, ripe and snaps are among the products exported by Guatemala.

The countrys is also one of the major food processing countries in Central America.  Domestic brands offer a wide variety of products that include shelf-stable, ready-to-eat meals such as canned and refried beans, tomato paste and sauce, soy-based ready meals, and instant noodle soups, among other products.