UK Minister of State visits Guatemala’s largest fruit exporter to the UK in Chimaltenango
The Minister of State for Latin America at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Hugo Swire MP, visited Planesa today in Chimaltenango (northern Guatemala).
Hugo Swire
Planesa is one of the largest exporters of blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries to international markets, including the UK.
During his visit, Minister Swire toured the production plant, met with the directors, workers and some of those that benefit from the exporting activities of Planesa. The company currently supplies, Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, ASDA and Tesco supermarkets in the UK, employs more than 700 workers directly and 2,000 indirectly .
Minister Swire also welcomed the company’s plans to work with UK agricultural technology leader Meiosis Ltd, with whom they signed an exclusive contract to import new varieties of berries and raspberries to be tested in Guatemala. The aim being to become a distribution hub for the region that could boost annual sales to more than US$4 million and create new job opportunities in Guatemala’s countryside.
According to HM Revenue & Customs, total commerce (exports + imports) between the UK and Guatemala grew nearly US$15 million in 2013, compared to the previous year. The UK expects this trend to continue, especially in the light of the implementation of the European Union – Central America Association Agreement.