USDA Trade Mission to Expand Exports in Guatemala, Central America WASHINGTON (Feb. 25, 2025) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture will spearhead a trade mission to Guatemala City, Guatemala, from March 3-7, to strengthen trade ties and expand U.S. agricultural exports across Central America. The mission includes more than two dozen agribusinesses, trade organizations, and representatives from two state departments of agriculture. "Strengthening export opportunities for American farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses is a top priority of USDA," said Foreign Agricultural Service Acting Associate Administrator Mark Slupek, who will lead the mission. "This trade mission will connect U.S. producers with key buyers in Central America, expanding economic opportunities, supporting rural prosperity, and keeping American agricultural products globally competitive." Guatemala is the largest economy and most populous country in Central America, with projections indicating continued economic growth. In 2024, it was the largest Central American market for U.S. agricultural products and the 16th largest globally, with exports totaling $1.9 billion. That same year, U.S. agricultural exports reached $1.4 billion to Honduras and $832 million to El Salvador. The value of agricultural exports to Guatemala saw a significant 15 percent increase from 2023, while exports to Honduras and El Salvador grew by four and five percent, respectively. Guatemala and its Central American neighbors are covered by the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). Under CAFTA-DR, almost all tariffs have been phased out and the agreement further strengthens the position of U.S. products in the region. The trade mission will provide participants with the opportunity to meet directly with buyers from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador through tailored business-to-business meetings. Foreign Agricultural Service staff and regional experts will also lead market briefings, site visits, and networking events. In addition to representatives from the following businesses and organizations, Slupek will be joined by officials from the Idaho and Wisconsin departments of agriculture: Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute – Juneau, Alaska Beaver Street Fisheries, LLC – Jacksonville, Fla. Bear Fiber – Morganton, N.C. California Fresh Fruit Association – Fresno, Calif. East-West International Group, Inc. – Moreland Hills, Ohio Flavor Consultants, Inc. – North Las Vegas, Nev. Forbidden Farms – Clarksdale, Miss. Globex International – New York, N.Y. Heartland Essentials, LLC – Gilbert, Ariz. Interra International LLC – Atlanta, Ga. InterVision Foods – Atlanta, Ga. Jack's Alimentary Supply, Inc. – Lowell, Mass. JM Grain – Garrison, N.D. Kennedy Rice Mill – Mer Rouge, La. Macdonald Meat Company – Seattle, Wash. Merus, LLC – Minneapolis, Minn. National Industrial Hemp Council of America – Washington, D.C. Space Enterprises LLC – The Woodlands, Texas Sure Good Foods USA Inc. – Atlanta, Ga. Sysco International Food Group – Jacksonville, Fla. TRC Trading Group – Roseville, Calif. U.S. Grains Council – Washington, D.C. U.S. Rice Producers Association – Katy, Texas United States Soybean Export Council – Chesterfield, Mo. USA Rice – Arlington, Va. For more information on USDA trade missions, visit www.fas.usda.gov.   # # # USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.   Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com. This service is provided to you at no charge by USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. This email was sent to stevenmagallanes520.nims@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service · 1400 Independence Avenue, SW · Washington, DC 20250