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July 20, 2018, 10:35 Guatemala, Jul. 20 (PL) The fall in international prices today affects Guatemala in sugar, coffee, rubber and fats and oils, a situation described as worrying According to the executive director of this institution, Carla Caballeros, the price of these four agricultural products has seen an average decline of more than 30 percent
. The impact on the country's economy is worrisome because the low income of the producers does not cover production costs and the lack of repayment of tax credit remains latent.
To this is added a weak road and port infrastructure. Mr Caballero cited among the possible consequences the increase in unemployment, given that the various sectors have already been cut. Onal.
The general director of the National Coffee Association, Evelio Alvarado, supports this trend and stresses that the migratory factor, always present, must also be taken into account.
About 214 municipalities in the country live off this crop, he said, and the cost of coffee ranges from $ 102 to $ 104 per cwt, one of the lowest in the last 12 years, he said .
Despite this, he said, the sector has established direct links to maintain competitiveness, therefore, it will end 2018 with a bill of 4.3 million quintals (in 2017 they closed with 4.2 million ).
For its part, the Guild of Palm Producers of Guatemala indicates that the fall represents an impact of 22%
In 2017, the value of crude palm oil was $ 715 per ton and, to date, it is between $ 633 and $ 585 compared to $ 1,000 four years ago. 196 59003] According to experts, oil palm and rubber are long-term investment crops and the average yield exceeds seven years, so that the ability of companies to reinvest and maintain their operations becomes difficult.
Statistics show that the price of rubber has started to fall since 2012, from five to 1.30 dollars so far, a fall of 74 percent.
ocs / mmc
