Guatemala: Agritrade Expo & Conference 2012 to focus on conquering the European market
Agritrade and Expo is an event to consolidate the offer of agricultural products in the region and it's made for participants to find a commercial ally and raise their business opportunities with new and emerging markets.
The US market was always an important market for the Central America region. In fact, some international buyers participating in the last edition of Agritrade confirmed their participation in the 2013 edition, in order to find the best vegetables, fruits, differentiation products and ornamental plants in the Central America region. Not to forget that the region is about to narrow the bonds with Europe. The present quota of exports to Europe is only of 0,3% of the total.
"We considers that, with the Association Agreement, there's a big opportunity to be taken by Central America", Rodolfo Rivera, president of Agritrade 2013, affirmed.
According to Rivera, the European market is not the only innovation for this edition. Other novelty is the incorporation of a new category: Offer of Processed Agricultural Products, like jellies, syrups, smoothies, juices and other products. Presently, food, drinks and canned products from Guatemala are exported mainly to Central America, Mexico, United States and Dominican Republic. By the end of 2011 there was a 24% growth regarding the previous year.
"With these innovations we are sure we will have better results than in 2011. In a way that every aspect in the Agritrade fair will grow. For example, we count on a 13% growth in the number of visitors, meaning that we count on the participation of more than 4,000 people; as for stands, we also count on a 13% growth as the XVI edition will have 143 stands. This might represent a growth in closed deals for the region. 500 Business Meetings will happen and we believe we will close with $30 millions in businesses, in a medium and long term", pointed Rivera.
According to the organization, Agritrade Expo & Conference 2013 is relevant for the commerce and agricultural business. And in this edition becomes also a meeting platform for external commerce. Because of it, during the fair are planned 3 important events related to the sector's productive chain:
1. Meeting for Perishables in the Miami Port: Authorities from USDA, CBP - Aphis, air and sea ports, logistic services, importers/distributors and institutions related to regulations to export to the US, will have a meeting during Agritrade to update exporters on the last changes.
2. The Yearly Assembly of the National Mango Board: Happening for the third time in the Agritrade, it's about subjects like raising the knowledge and consumption of fresh mango in the US with three basic programs: marketing, investigation and industry.
3. And the Inter-American Citrus Network (Red Interamericana de Cítricos – RIAC): An organization backed up by FAO and destined to promote and establish technical and economic cooperation activities among countries in America, regarding citrus.
The Exporters Association in Guatemala - Agritrade - is proud to present the XVI edition of the international agriculture fair. This is an important tool for the country to reach the leadership regarding the promotion of competitiveness in the agricultural and industrial sector in the Central America region.
"Without a doubt, as a country we bring something to the region with this agricultural platform. And we bring even more to our country, as trough the work made by exporters and producers, Guatemala managed to diversify and raise its exportable offer. In a way that, today, Guatemala is in the lead of products like cardamom, Chinese pea, French green beans and many others. Their production and development resulted in rural development for the country and benefiting thousands of families", Rivera ended.
ADDITIONAL DATA
Agritrade Expo and Conference 2013, on the 14 and 15 of March 2013, will happen in Santo Domingo del Cerro, in the old colonial city of Antigua Guatemala (humanity's cultural heritage by UNESCO).
The results of the XV edition, in 2011, confirm the success of Agritrade Expo and Conference. Due to the fact that that edition was visited by more than 3,500 people, coming from 12 countries to have contact with more than 115 companies present at the event. Those companies expanded their business opportunities by closing with US$27,5 million Dollars.