Guatemala is currently getting ready to host a new edition of the international event AGRITRADE Expo & Conference, organized by AGEXPORT and which would take place on March 21, 22 and 23, 2019 in Santo Domingo del Cerro, Antigua Guatemala. Its 2019 edition would allow local firms to do business with 150 international buyers. Among them, a Japanese delegation plans to join the event for the first time. The organizing committee expect deals for as much as US$65 million to be made in the short and medium term as a result of the event. Additionally, AGRITRADE 2019 would have a delegation of Israel as guest speakers for being pioneers in the development of agriculture technology.

Agriculture growers and businessmen are developing new strategies to widen the international markets at which Guatemalan products participate, with more products that would include blueberries, plantains, pineapples, papayas, mangoes, avocados, top-quality coffee, limes, carrots, green beans, mini vegetables, zucchinis, snow peas, blackberries, spices, flowers, among others. The key objective is to increase the amount of ‘non-traditional’ agriculture exports, which in 2017 added up to US$913 million.

Without any doubt, agriculture offers an important amount of job opportunities in Guatemala, as it represents 30% of the country’s exports. Added to that, these jobs are created in rural areas where Guatemala most needs to create employment. We believe that it is through increasing exports that we can best provide of more resources to Guatemalan families and communities. The 19^th edition of AGRITRADE Expo & Conference would not only have more international buyers but would also have the participation of a new generation of rural businessmen, remarked AGEXPORT’s president, Mr. Antonio Malouf.

AGRITRADE Expo & Conference is heading to become the main business platform in Latin America for agriculture products and processed foods, raising interest from international buyers in Europe, the United States, Canada, Mexico, Panama and the rest of Central America.

Since the 2017 edition, AGRITRADE launched new products that would shift Guatemalan exports to agribusiness products. This, as a response to recent changes in demands from international markets, which required higher regulations, certifications, new varieties of fruits and vegetables, as well as healthier foods. Consumers nowadays are seeking not to eat always the same, with the same preparations and in the same packaging. That is why AGRITRADE Expo & Conference 2019 would offer different seminars focused on promoting innovation and the usage of agriculture technology, as well as offer training to local producers and exporters. We will also give the ‘innovator of the year’ award, said Mr. Estuardo Castro, head of the AGRITRADE organization committee.

According to Mr. Castro, the 2019 edition of AGRITRADE Expo & Conference would not only reward innovation but also organize different activities, such as a contest called “a flavor beyond expectations”, which would have renown chefs cooking state-of-the-art dishes with Guatemalan export products. As well, AGRITRADE would have an event called “Coffee Trade” with baristas, coffee bids and would also be the headquarters of the “Mango Board”. All these, seeking to promote a wide range of Guatemalan agriculture products for worldwide markets.

From March 21 to 23, 2019, in Santo Domingo del Cerro, Antigua Guatemala, our country would become the region’s main trade center for agriculture products. We will have 150 booths at our exhibition floor, displaying agriculture products, processed foods, supplies and services to the more than 150 international buyers invited to the event. Our invited country for this edition will be Japan, a market with high purchasing power and oriented on consumption. They are highly opened to purchase international products if they fulfill high-quality requirements, remarked Mr. Castro.