Guatemala to export 4.5 million boxes of mangoes in 2009

Increasing mango exports in 2009 to reach 4.5 million boxes, is the goal set by the Guatemalan mango producers.

 

This is possible due to the signing of the export protocols by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA) and the Department of Agriculture United States of America.

 

In 2008 the mango exports reached more than 4.1 million boxes, about 18 metric tons. This represented more than half a million, more than in 2007, according to the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport).

 

Guatemala has approximately six thousand hectares of mango cultivation; over 50% of the production obtained is exported. 95% percent of the exported mangoes goes to the US markets, the remaining 5% reaches European markets.

 

To be able to export mangoes to the USA, the product must comply and maintain quality standards and phytosanitary security norms. This has been achieved through the coordination and MAGA through the Integral Program for Agricultural and Environmental Protection (PIPAA) and the Unit for Standards and Regulations (UNR), in conjunction with the export sector. Having complied with these standards has enabled Guatemala to have six mango packing plants certified by the United States.

The Government promotes actions to benefit the production and export sector of Guatemala to increase the profits and opportunities in rural areas of Guatemala. The producers are diversifying their products to take advantage of the new markets.

The signing of the protocols was conducted by Gary Green, a representative of USDA / APHIS, and Julio Recinos, Minister of Agriculture of Guatemala. Mr. Green commended the work done by Guatemala to meet quality standards.