Guatemala Agriculture

The United States and Guatemala enjoy a strong and growing trade relationship, especially due to the U.S.-Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR).  The United States is Guatemala’s largest trading partner, accounting for nearly 40% of Guatemala’s trade. 

Currently Guatemala imports most fertilizers from the U.S., Norway, and Russia, although Russian imports have declined since the sanctions were implemented in 2022. 

The agricultural sector is very robust, Guatemala is in Central America, with more than 22 microclimates and very fertile soils that are home to many crops and favor importers.  For example, Guatemala’s peak season for avocado is opposite to Peru, enhancing the reliability of supply for exports. 

Guatemala’s exports several crops: sugarcane, coffee, bananas, melon, berries, and vegetables.  There are several almost new crops that are increasing the plantation like avocado and mango that currently does not utilize specific kinds of fertilizers. 

There is an initiative to secure the necessary approvals from USDA to export Guatemalan avocados soon. To comply with export regulations by USDA, farmers need to grow and to deliver good quality and safe fruits that require a wide range of agrochemicals to control the specific pests and diseases for avocados in Guatemala which has a tropical and sub-tropical climate.  

The Guatemalan Avocado Association and all avocado farmers, and packers are requiring access to registered products that are also accepted in the international markets to compete with other producing countries. 

This access to registered molecules, fertilizers, pesticides etc. is even more critical because avocado trees produce fruit of multiple sizes and various quality in the same season. It is an industry fact that no single market buys all the possible size and grade permutations. It is also a fact that not one single molecule is accepted in all the importing countries. Therefore, farmers must have access to multiple pesticides, fungicides, extracts, herbicides, and biological controls agents to meet individual market requirements. 

Currently, there are very few agrochemicals registered for avocados in Guatemala. This lack of tools slows down the growth of the industry in a country with over 300,000 hectares (Ha) suitable for growing Hass avocados. Although the industry is small right now (Approximately 7,000 Ha planted), weather conditions, soil quality, water availability, different altitudes, and proximity to large markets make Guatemala an ideal country to develop avocado orchards. 

There is a demand not fulfilled for this specific market and companies interested in exporting to Guatemala need to find a reliable local distributor and together, comply and register the molecules that are already been used in other producing countries such Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Chile, and Dominican Republic. 

A Guatemalan Ministry of Agriculture regulation requires that all fertilizers need to be registered to be authorized and approved.   

For more information, please contact Antonio Prieto at Antonio.Prieto@trade.gov.