Month: September 2020

Guatemala is the fourth largest sugar exporter in the world, according to data from the International Sugar Organization and surpasses blocs such as the European Union and countries such as Mexico, Cuba, and Colombia.

 The sugar produced in Guatemala is exported to all continents and according to data from the Bank of Guatemala -Banguat- in 2019, 55% of sugar exports were destined for countries on the American continent, followed by Africa with 23%, Asia with 13%, Oceania with 5% and Europe with 4%.

Additionally, sugar represents 6.2% of the country’s exports, with foreign exchange earnings of US $ 695 million. In addition to the sales of byproducts from sugar production, such as molasses (US $ 56.3 million) and alcohol (US $ 124.7 million), the Guatemalan Sugar Industry generated US $ 876 million in foreign exchange for Guatemala in 2019 alone.

It is important to highlight that Guatemala exports 70% of its total sugar production, the remaining 30% is fortified with vitamin A and remains in the country to supply local consumption.

Main destination countries for Guatemalan sugar

The main destinations for Guatemalan sugar exports in metric tons –MT- were Canada with 333,596 MT, the United States with 261,628 MT, Chile with 211,075 MT and Mauritania with 165,425 MT.

To the previous destinations are added Taiwan with 111,609 MT, China with 108,999 MT, New Zealand with 92,500 MT, Haiti with 75,081 MT, Democratic Republic of the Congo with 60,437 MT and Senegal with 50,662 MT, according to data from Banguat.

The door to the world

All the sugar that Guatemala exports leaves from a terminal specialized in sugar handling, called Expogranel, which is located in Puerto Quetzal, on the shores of the Pacific Ocean.

This terminal was built in 1994 and is considered one of the most efficient sugar shipping terminals in the world. It has the capacity to store 350,000 metric tons of sugar in bulk and 58,000 metric tons of sugar in bags, this added to its loading speed, compared to other countries, gives Guatemala a competitive advantage.

What makes it more impressive is its current shipping rate of 2,000 metric tons of bulk sugar per hour. When Expogranel started it took 30 days to load a 35 thousand MT ship and today it does so in just 18 hours. In addition, it has a shipping capacity of more than 3,500 tons of bagged sugar every day.

The Guatemalan Sugar Mills, faithful to its commitment to the development of Guatemalans, have joined forces in the face of the health emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Guatemalan Sugar Industry, in addition to contributing with donations to the authorities, has promoted and supported projects focused on finding solutions to face the pandemic.

Donation of land for the Hospital de Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa

Knowing the need for a new hospital on the South of the country, the Guatemalan Sugar Industry handed over the Government’s disposal a land of 10,000 square meters located in a strategic point with multiple entrances, so that it could be installed there.

The land is located 92 km from the capital of the country, in the municipality of Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa, department of Escuintla in the south of the country. This is part of the experimental area of ​​the Guatemalan Center for Research and Training of Sugar Cane –Cengicaña-.

Donation of US$1 million to equip hospital to face the Covid-19 pandemic in the south of Guatemala

The Guatemalan Sugar Indusrty delivered US$1 million to the Government of Guatemala to acquire medical equipment that will enable the hospital to be installed on the South of Guatemala for the medical care of people infected by Covid-19. This hospital is about to be inaugurated by the authorities.

468 public workers will be trained in the South Coast

The Guatemalan Sugar Industry through its social arm, Fundazucar joined with the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (AGEXPORT) to train 468 public workers to support them in the implementation of measures to prevent COVID-19 in markets and squares.

35 Joaquin 1.0 mechanical respirators

The impact of COVID-19 in Guatemala, as in other countries, has caused a shortage of supplies and equipment for hospital care. Thus, the project for the development of the first mechanical respirator created in Guatemala was born, led by Eng. Edwin Delgado, Automation Superintendent of La Union Sugar Mill, who for 25 years has developed professionally in said company.

The Guatemalan Sugar Association – ASAZGUA – also announced the donation of 35 mechanical respirators to the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance, which will be financed by the Guatemalan sugar mills to save the lives of COVID-19 patients and when the pandemic ends, will be for use of future patients. By august those respirators will be at the Guatemalan hospitals.

917 kits for health workers and alcohol for Health Centers

The Guatemalan Sugar Industry is aware of the need to provide aid to health workers who are on the front line in the fight against COVID-19, that is why the sugar mills that produce alcohol donated 10 thousand of gallons of this supply to the Guatemalan’s Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance.

In addition, through Fundazucar, the Guatemalan Sugar Industry delivered 917 kits for health center workers on the South Coast, which consist of 4 KN95 masks, 2 gowns, 3 pairs of gloves and 1 face mask. 48 health centers in Escuintla, Santa Rosa, Retalhuleu, Jutiapa and Suchitepequez were also benefited, each service received antibacterial gel and disposable paper towels.

110,231 pounds of sugar to Guatemalan families

The Guatemalan Sugar Industry donated 110,231 pounds of sugar in solidarity with Guatemalan families affected by the health emergency caused by the Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic.

The sugar was handed through the Guatemalan Sugar Association -Asazgua- to the authorities and was part of the food boxes that the Government is delivered to Guatemalans as part of its strategy against the global pandemic.

Guild protocol with OSH measures against COVID-19

The Guatemalan Sugar Industry presented its guild protocol for Occupational Health and Safety in the face of COVID-19. This document contains the prevention measures implemented in sugar mills and guild organizations to avoid contagion from collaborators. Available in Spanish here.

New Hospital in Guatemala has the latest technology donated by the sugar mills and will treat COVID-19 patients

 The Guatemalan Sugar Industry donated to the Guatemalan Government 10 thousand square metters to build a hospital, and also US$1 million to buy equipment and furniture, to help people affected by COVID-19, after the pandemic, this new hospital will remain as one of the most important health centers in the south of the country

 This September 2nd, representatives of the Guatemalan Sugar Association -ASAZGUA-, among them Alfredo Vila and Luis Miguel Paiz, president and general manager, respectively; participated in the inauguration ceremony of the “Santa Lucia Hospital” together with the President of the Republic, Alejandro Giammattei and Government authorities. Initially conceived for the care of COVID-19 patients, this hospital will be permanent for the benefit of the inhabitants of the South of Guatemala.

 As part of the commitment and solidarity with Guatemalans and especially with the people of the South of the country, the Guatemalan Sugar Industry contributed US$1 million for the purchase of more than 750 items necessary to equip the hospital. Among which high technology stands out, such as respirators, equipment for clinical laboratory analysis, ultrasound and X-rays, cephalic cameras, incubator, anesthesia machine, cardiovascular imaging system, vital signs monitors; as well as furniture ranging from intensive care beds, washing machines and industrial dryers, among others.

Likewise, the sugar mills through Asazgua made the donation of the land where the hospital was built, which has 10 thousand square meters and is located 92 kilometers from Guatemala City at the CA-2 highway in the jurisdiction of Santa Lucia Cotzumalguapa, Escuintla.

“The donation that the Guatemala Sugar Industry has made to the people of the South of the country has been very well channeled by the Government. It is a source of pride for all of us that we now have a hospital with technology to provide excellent medical care to the entire population of the South of Guatemala, for whom we have so much affection”, said Alfredo Vila, president of Asazgua.

Luis Miguel Paiz, general manager of Asazgua, highlighted that the Guatemalan Sugar Industry has promoted and supported actions to face the pandemic, such as the donation of basic protective equipment for 917 sanitation workers on the South of Guatemala, as well as the contribution of 110,251 pounds of fortified sugar with vitamin A for the food boxes, which the Government delivered to thousands of families in vulnerable situations.