On January 17, truckers in Guatemala will go on strike. They will fight the restriction on the times they can circulate through the city as well as the large amounts of tickets they receive. The strike may possibly extend for a few more days after the 17th.“Papayas, melons, Chinese vegetables as well as limes may be affected,” says Andres OCampo with HLB Specialties. As a result of the strike, OCampo expects lower availability of produce from Guatemala in the US. “Produce that is scheduled to leave the port may be left behind,” he said.
Melons in peak season
The impact on prices depends on how well other countries can cover up for the lower volumes from Guatemala. Mexico can cover some of the shortages of papayas and limes pull strongly from Mexico as well. Guatemala is not a strong force in the lime market. “I am not sure how the market will react for melons, but they are in peak season from Central America right now and Guatemala is a very important supplier to the US this time of the year,” mentioned OCampo. “Honduras may be able to cover some of the gaps.”
Mobility of containers affected
Usually, produce from Guatemala is shipped by boat to South Florida (Miami/Port Everglades/West Palm Beach). The transit time is three to four days. Some products are flown in, but the vast majority comes by boat and from Florida it is trucked into the US and Canada. The strike affects the mobility of the containers in and out of the port to and from the different packing houses in Guatemala.
For more information:
Andres Ocampo
HLB Specialties
Tel: (+1) 954-475-8808
