Agritrade Expo & Conference 2015 Celebrates Its 17th Show In Guatemala

Agritrade Expo & Conference celebrated its 17th Show in La Antigua, Guatemala on March 12 and 13, 2015. The Expo’s attendance superceded expectations with more than a hundred and fifty international buyers interested in coffee, cardamom, macadamia nuts, broccoli, organics, and peppers and is anticipated to generate over $50 million of sales business. The exhibition floor featured 150 booths and more than 4,500 visitors from different parts of the world and 120 importing companies – an increase of 800 more participants over 2013’s Expo.

“There are many exporters displaying quality produce in vibrant displays and discussing trade opportunities,” stated Victor Hugo Garcia, Technical Director of San Juan Agroexport.  “Nationals attend the show to identify resources to enhance and streamline their own exports while focusing on efforts to promote Guatemala’s quality products to other countries and increase Guatemalan market share.”

“Crystal Valley attends Agritrade  to reaffirm our agreements and meet with our Guatemalan exporters,”  stated Jay Rodriguez, President of Crystal Valley Foods.  “At each meeting we are able to continue collaboration regarding production, sustainability and social responsibility.  Crystal Valley has been importing from Guatemala for over 20 years now and we have established mutually beneficial business relationships that will carry on into the years to come. Agritrade also offers us the ability to review any new products that have entered the Guatemalan market that will keep Crystal Valley on the pulse of the industry.”

“Many goals have been set and accomplished for Agritrade 2013,” stated Rodolfo Rivera, President of Plataforma Agricola, Agritrade Expo & Conference. “These include goals to grow exhibitors, participants, and sales and have resulted in over 40% growth year-over-year — the largest growth in the existence of Agritrade.  Now with over 150 buyers attending, this year’s exhibit welcomed the participation of over 50 European buyers and exhibitors, specifically, Holland, Spain, Germany, Russia, Sri Lanka and Mexico. Their involvement means ever greater benefit for our show and agricultural community. Additionally, during the evening events we commemorated and announced the new President for Agexport, Pablo Velasquez.”

Agritrade provides a platform for national and international exporters to show their products and network with other countries on industry best practices.  Pablo Velasquez, Manager of MayanCorn.com and now President Agritrade Expo & Conference stated, “As president of Agexport, we will focus our short term new objectives on programs that ensure employment for the Guatemalan agro industry.  Longer term, we will continue to focus on producing excellent quality fruits and vegetables while progressing goals of ensuring good growing practices, social responsibility and education.”

Guatemalan exports have many opportunities to grow in the next five years, however production is limited by water conservation.  While successful Guatemalan exports include coffee, sugar, bananas and other fruits and vegetables,  during the months of November through April there is no rain.  This issue is of massive concern since this inhibits to the ability to ensure year-round growing. Limited export production affects having a healthy economy and restricts providing year-round employment for Guatemalan workers and consistent year-round security, sustainability and social responsibility.   Rivera adds, “We understand this issue and have presented a project that we are working on with the Guatemalan government to capture the rain from the rainy season of May through October and equally distribute it to each growing region to help subsidize and supply of the much needed water to these growing areas.  Guatemala is a country with excellent potential to be a year-round exporter of quality fruits and vegetables while maintaining excellent social responsibility.”

Agritrade representatives closed the event with a closing reception the evening of March 13 inviting everyone to Agritrade 2017.

Source: Agritrade