The agriculture and fisheries sector AGEXPORT is reaping the rewards of the latest actions implemented, which include participation in fairs and missions, such as the recent fair AGRITRADE Expo & Conference. The Bank of Guatemala reported that exports of non-traditional agricultural products during the first quarter of 2015 amounted to $265 million dollars and grew by 16% when compared to the same period of 2014.
One of the products that grew significantly was cardamom, registering an increase of 15%. Meanwhile, the fishing and aquaculture sector decreased by 7%, noted the director of the Agricultural Sector, Eng. Ricardo Santa Cruz.
One of the agricultural subsectors that excels this quarter is that of flowers and plants, because they had an increase of 13% compared to the previous year ($26 million dollars).
We have strengthened different areas of the Commission of Ornamental Plants, Foliage and Flowers of AGEXPORT so as to further boost trade in this sector. As a result, the Commission has had 12 product demands in Syria, Germany, Italy, Portland, California, Poland, Russia, Mexico, and Chile. Additionally, we have started a campaign to promote the Tillandsia variety through mass mailing, reported the manager of the Commission and Ornamental Plants AGEXPORT, Brigitte Obrock. Another subsector with sustained growth is the fruit subsector, which achieved sales for $118 million dollars in this period, i.e. 34% more than in the same period of the previous year. Vegetable sales increased by 6% and amounted to $86 million dollars, achieving a high social and economic impact on small and medium producers of the country's highlands.
Banana exports grew by 56% and amounted to $12,000,286 dollars. One of the agricultural products for which there has also been a high demand in the market is the bean, as it had exports that amounted to $11.867.000 dollars, i.e. 36% more than in the same period last year.
"We export red beans for the nostalgic market, and cultivate them in Jutiapa, Chiquimula, Jalapa and Peten. We have been developing dry corridor chains for three years through producers associations so we can continue producing this quality product for export, said Estuardo Castro, General Manager of COPRISA, AGROEXPORT and Director of the Board of AGEXPORT.
Sales to the Central American market amounted to more than $20 million dollars and included: vegetables, fertilizers, fresh, dried and frozen fruits, tomatoes, potatoes, bananas, plants, seeds and fruits for medical use and for perfumes, onion, bulbs, roots, ornamental plants, fishery and aquaculture products, among others.