Guatemala plans to increase mango export to about 4.5 million boxes, which is equivalent to approximately 38 million pounds of this fruit, which annually generates currencies for up to US $ 15 million; However, the sector remains alert to the tariffs imposed by the government of US President Donald Trump.
This Sunday was held in the Plaza Honduras, zone 13 capital, the sixth edition of the Mango Festival, with exhibitions and tastings of prepared dishes based on this fruit, by entrepreneurs.
According to Eddy Martínez, director of the Board of Directors of the Association of Exporters of Guatemala (AGEXPORT), some 20 varieties of mango are cultivated in the country. However, only four are currently exported, although they already have other lists for when the market requires it.
The exportable varieties at this time are Tommy Atkin, which represents 90%of exports, followed by Keitt (8%), Ataulfo (1%) and Kent (1%).
In the case of Guatemala, the consumption has doubled, reaching between 10 and 15 million pounds, which represents 25% of the exported volume. Internal consumption occurs mainly through processors that work frozen pulp, handle in pieces, among others.
The interesting thing is that, thanks to activities such as the Festival, in the last four or five years the consumption of fresh mango has been doubled, which is positive for producers and exporters, Martínez said.
95% of exports are allocated to the United States. However, Guatemala seeks to venture into other markets in South America, since, according to Martínez, a free trade agreement with Peru is being negotiated and the Chilean market opens.
“They produce outside the season. They produce between October, November, December and January. We, from February to May. It is an opportunity to export from Guatemala to South America,” he said.
In 2024, Guatemala exported 3.5 million mango boxes to the US market. In the country there are some 170 farms of this fruit, whose production is concentrated in 27% in the south and 73% in the East.
This is equivalent to 2,293 hectares certified for export. However, it is sought that in the future more areas suitable for mango cultivation for export purposes can be declared.
Duty
After the imposition of 10% tariffs by the United States for Guatemalan products, Fernando Zuluaga, manager of the Agxport Agricultural Division, reported that in the first week of the measure more than US $ 1 million paid in tariffs were reported. Importers have indicated that they will not assume this cost, which corresponds to the exporter.
Zuluaga said that this situation puts the country at a disadvantage with respect to products such as legumes, green, pea and broccoli, compared to Mexico, which does not pay this tariff.
“Buyers could prefer the Mexican market because they are cheaper. In such a way that some production lines could be seriously affected. In the case of mango, exports begin to be affected by 10% tariff. There are currently losses of approximately US $ 1 million per week among all products, and this figure could increase as the season progresses,” he explained.
However, exporters expect Guatemalan authorities to soon solve commercial barriers and draw a route to reduce or eliminate said tariff. “In the end, what can give us a result as producers and exporters is that Guatemala can quickly present that solution program that would make us all very well,” said Fanny D. Estrada, director of Institutional Relations of AGEXPORT, who said they have closely followed the work with the government authorities.