The cranberry: new alternative to diversify the agricultural exports of Guatemala
The AGRITRADE platform of AGEXPORT identified the blueberry as an alternative to diversify the country's agricultural exports, attending to the demand and trends in the international market.
From that account, the agricultural sector of the organization, participated in the International Senior Management Program for the Cranberry Industry, taught by international experts from Chile, Peru and the United States, which was held in the city of Bogotá, Colombia, following the previous seminar in Mexico.
According to experts, the consumption of cranberry in the United States has increased in recent years in 31%, in Europe the 76% and in China 140%. The greatest world consumption is located in the northern hemisphere. It is important to note that in the Chinese market, the most consumed berry is the cherry and the blueberry is the immediate substitute, which makes this agricultural product produced in Guatemala have high export potential, said the Director of AGEXPORT, Stuart Castro.
For Guatemala to enter this product into the United States market, it is necessary to approve a phytosanitary export protocol, which is in process and is expected to be obtained this year, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food, with the support of the Embassy of Guatemala in Washington.
Colombia initiated the program of production of blueberries in 2011 with a couple of hectares and with the Biloxy variety. Today they are testing new varieties and have more than 100 hectares in production, which mainly supply the national market, but they already implement a local program to increase production, seeking to enter the international market, mainly to the United States.
Through participation in field trips, we have observed that the agroclimatic conditions of the producing region in Colombia and Mexico are very similar to the areas of the western highlands of Guatemala, so it is possible to develop this crop. Demonstration plots in different regions to validate the different varieties (biloxi, ventura, victory, among others), Castro said.
Source: Agexporthoy.export.com.gt
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