The first damages caused by the Fuego Volcano in Guatemala are starting to be identified. However, according to producers, "the first identification of damages began the same day that the eruption occurred, from the area of damage identified by the Vulcanology Institute and CONRED."
Currently, the volcano remains active as published by the geophysical institute's bulletin of June 12, 2018. The most affected areas are no longer habitable due to the amount of volcanic ash accumulated, and the crop areas' productivity will be affected. According producers, however, even though it is possible that this will have some kind of impact on exports, "it won't be representative of the country's total agricultural exports. The main damage will be for the economy of the country, the affected communities, and food security."
The soils of the affected area are deep, well drained, developed on volcanic ash, and have a high agricultural value, allowing the development of traditional crops, such as coffee, sugar cane, and rubber, and non-traditional crops, such as avocado, vegetables, macadamia nuts, and ornamental plants, among other products, as well as basic grains, such as corn and beans. These crops are mainly located in the municipalities of Alotenango de Sacatepequez and the municipality of Escuintla.