AGP Executive Report

Tourism Trade: Guatemala City hosted CATM 2026, where tourism operators from six countries pitched international buyers and sought new contracts. Belize brought 42 delegates and is promoting a planned direct air link from Europe. Business Expansion: Guatemalan-born Pollo Campero named Julio Sánchez to lead its U.S. business as it grows beyond 150 restaurants. Little Caesars expanded its digital ordering partnership into Guatemala, while Toys R Us is weighing stores in the country and other Central American markets, with Panama as its planned regional hub. Agriculture & Climate: Heifer International will help 16,000 farming families in Guatemala, Honduras and Ecuador prepare for El Niño. Drought has already affected Guatemala’s coffee-growing regions, with output forecast to fall 10%; Central American Arabica premiums have also reached a three-year high. Trade Links: A replacement bridge on El Salvador’s border with Guatemala is intended to keep regional trade flowing year-round and help lower food costs.

Tourism Deals: Centroamérica Travel Market opened in Guatemala City, where regional tourism operators are courting international buyers. Belize brought 42 delegates and 18 booth spaces to pursue new contracts, including ahead of a planned direct European air link. Pollo Campero: The Guatemalan-born chain named Julio Sánchez CEO of its U.S. business. He will lead growth beyond 150 restaurants, with priorities including stronger sales and operations. Farm Resilience: Heifer International plans to support 16,000 farming families in Guatemala, Honduras and Ecuador ahead of severe El Niño-related weather. Guatemala’s coffee production is forecast to fall 10% this year. Retail Expansion: MO Global plans to enter Guatemala in early 2027, partnering with Disresa to develop optical-store networks across six Central American and Caribbean markets. Little Caesars has also extended its Deliverect ordering partnership to Guatemala. Coffee Market: Drought in the Dry Corridor has pushed Central American arabica premiums to a three-year high, with supply risks affecting Guatemala and neighboring producers.

Agriculture & Climate: Heifer International will help at least 16,000 farming families in Guatemala, Ecuador and Honduras prepare for El Niño, as drought threatens coffee crops and rural livelihoods. Retail & Technology: Little Caesars is extending its Deliverect partnership to Guatemala, supporting third-party delivery orders and restaurant operations. Investment: Spain’s MO Global plans to enter Guatemala’s optical retail market in 2027 as part of a six-country Central American expansion. Coffee Trade: Dry conditions have pushed Central American arabica premiums to a three-year high; Guatemala’s coffee output is forecast to fall 10%, tightening regional supply. Growth Outlook: The IMF projects Guatemala’s economy will grow 4% in 2026, outpacing neighboring Belize, Honduras and Costa Rica. Food Trade: U.S. pork exports to Central America rose 11% in volume and 15% in value through August, with Guatemala and Honduras key markets.

Investment & Trade: Taiwan says it wants to turn ties with Guatemala into joint investment and development partnerships, highlighting technology and advanced manufacturing after a visit with a business delegation. Rule of Law: The killing of anti-corruption lawyer Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa has renewed concern about the safety of those challenging powerful interests. Food Trade: U.S. pork exports to Central America rose 11% in volume and 15% in value through August, with Guatemala among the region’s main markets. Logistics: Amerijet plans to repair a damaged 767 freighter in Guatemala City, using a local repair station before sending it elsewhere for longer-term work. Digital Payments: Tap to Pay on iPhone is now available to merchants in Guatemala through local payment platforms. Regional Commerce: A new binational bridge between El Salvador and Guatemala is intended to keep trade moving year-round and help lower food costs.

Air Cargo: Amerijet will repair its 36-year-old 767 freighter after a hard landing in Guatemala City, using a local shop for temporary work before moving the plane to a maintenance facility. Oil Sector: Guatemala is seeking bids for a roughly $50 million contract to plug wells and decommission facilities at the closed Xan field, once the country’s largest oil producer. Digital Payments: Tap to Pay on iPhone is now available to Guatemalan merchants through Geopagos and Symbiotic, letting businesses accept contactless payments without a separate card terminal. Regional Trade: A new binational bridge built by El Salvador is intended to keep trade with Guatemala moving year-round and help reduce food costs. Retail Technology: Little Caesars is expanding its Deliverect partnership in Guatemala, extending digital tools for restaurant orders and delivery. Agriculture: Rising fuel and input costs linked to the Iran war are squeezing banana producers globally, adding pressure to a key export industry.

Business Climate: The killing of former tax chief and anti-corruption prosecutor Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa has renewed concerns about risks facing officials who challenged powerful business and political interests. Digital Payments: Apple’s Tap to Pay on iPhone is now available to Guatemalan merchants through Geopagos and Symbiotic, letting them accept contactless payments without a separate terminal. Retail & Technology: Little Caesars is extending its Deliverect partnership to Guatemala, giving participating franchises tools to manage delivery-platform orders. Oil Sector: Guatemala is seeking bids for a roughly $50 million contract to plug wells and decommission facilities at the former Xan oilfield, once the country’s biggest producer. Trade & Logistics: A new binational bridge with El Salvador is intended to keep trade moving year-round and help reduce food costs; Puerto Quetzal has also added two Liebherr cranes.

Rule of Law: Former tax chief and anti-corruption lawyer Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa was shot dead in Guatemala City; police arrested two suspects. His killing raises fresh concerns about the safety of people who challenge powerful political and business interests. Banana Costs: The Iran war is driving up fuel and fertilizer costs across the banana supply chain, squeezing producers already facing disease and climate risks. Oilfield Closure: Guatemala is seeking bids for a roughly $50 million contract to plug wells and decommission facilities at the former Xan oilfield, once responsible for about 90% of national oil output. Business Expansion: Little Caesars is extending its Deliverect partnership to Guatemala, adding third-party delivery order management for participating franchisees. Trade Infrastructure: El Salvador’s new binational bridge with Guatemala is pitched as a way to keep regional trade moving year-round and help lower food costs. Puerto Quetzal has also added two cranes to its cargo-handling equipment.

Rule of Law: Anti-corruption lawyer and former prosecutor Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa was shot dead in Guatemala City; police arrested two suspects. The killing renews concerns over the safety of justice officials and the country’s institutional stability. Oil Industry: Guatemala is seeking bids for a roughly $50 million, three-year contract to close and decommission the Xan oilfield, once responsible for about 90% of national production. Proposals are due Nov. 23, with well-plugging and environmental risk mitigation among the tasks. Business Expansion: Little Caesars is extending third-party delivery-ordering technology to Guatemala, giving participating franchisees tools to manage orders and monitor online availability. Trade Links: El Salvador’s new binational bridge and connecting road on Guatemala’s side are intended to improve cross-border mobility and support commerce between the countries.

Restaurant Expansion: Little Caesars is extending its Deliverect partnership to Guatemala, giving participating franchisees tools to manage third-party delivery orders and keep restaurants visible on ordering platforms. Cross-Border Trade: El Salvador’s new binational bridge and a connecting road on the Guatemalan side aim to improve movement between the countries and support commerce and tourism. Beef Exports: The U.S. Meat Export Federation cited Guatemala as a buyer of products ranging from Prime beef to variety meats, as exporters seek to serve changing demand with a broader mix of cuts. Port Capacity: Puerto Quetzal has added two Liebherr cranes, a logistics upgrade for Guatemala’s main Pacific port.

Restaurant Technology: Little Caesars is extending its Deliverect partnership to Guatemala, giving participating franchisees tools to manage delivery-platform orders and reduce online service interruptions. Cross-Border Trade: El Salvador’s new four-lane bridge at the Guatemala border replaces an aging crossing that faced flood closures; the route handles about 1.5 million vehicles a year, and new access roads and digital customs systems aim to keep freight moving. Port Investment: Puerto Quetzal has added two Liebherr cranes, expanding equipment at Guatemala’s key Pacific port. Food Trade: Guatemala is a market for U.S. beef ranging from premium cuts to variety meats, as exporters seek new buyers and adapt to shifting demand. Rural Development: Volunteer crews are building power lines to connect more than 50 homes and a school in north-central Guatemala, bringing electricity to a community where children study by candlelight.

Cross-Border Trade: El Salvador opened a four-lane bridge linking La Hachadura with Guatemala, replacing a flood-prone crossing used by about 1.5 million vehicles a year. New access roads and digital customs systems aim to speed freight and keep regional supply chains moving. Port Investment: Puerto Quetzal has added two cranes, strengthening capacity at Guatemala’s key Pacific port. Rural Markets: Digital initiatives are helping 32,000 rural households access markets, financial services and innovation. Export Logistics: IAG Cargo highlighted its Madrid perishables operations during a trade visit focused on Guatemala, underscoring the importance of reliable air links for fresh-produce exports.

Cross-Border Trade: El Salvador opened a new four-lane bridge at the La Hachadura–Pedro de Alvarado crossing, replacing a flood-prone 1960 structure on a route used by about 1.5 million vehicles a year. The upgrade is intended to keep freight moving year-round and cut transport costs for food and other goods. Agriculture: The U.S. Department of State selected the University of Florida to lead a crop-protection initiative spanning Guatemala and six other countries. The program will use diagnostics, crop modeling and risk mapping to tackle pests and disease, reduce losses and help farmers reach markets. Port Logistics: Puerto Quetzal added two Liebherr LHM 550 cranes, expanding cargo-handling capacity at Guatemala’s key Pacific port.

Rural Business: Digital tools from 15 startups are helping more than 32,000 rural households across Guatemala and five other countries reach markets, access financial services and improve farm management. The IFAD- and EU-funded program linked the startups with 811 rural organizations. Prices: Guatemala’s 2026 inflation is forecast at 3%, as higher global energy, food and fertilizer costs put pressure on household budgets. Retail Expansion: Dollarama’s Latin American operator, Dollarcity, reported a 30.3% rise in second-quarter earnings. Its 781 stores span the region, including Guatemala, and a dividend will help fund expansion in Mexico. Port Logistics: Puerto Quetzal has added two Liebherr cranes, boosting cargo-handling capacity at the country’s key Pacific port.

Retail Expansion: Dollarama’s Latin American arm, Dollarcity, operates in Guatemala and has grown to 781 stores across the region. Its second-quarter earnings rose 30.3% to US$49.9 million, while a US$75.1 million dividend will help fund expansion in Mexico. Food Trade: Guatemala remains part of the banana supply chain serving U.S. markets: a Del Monte shipment from Central America carried millions of bananas, as producers warn that higher costs are squeezing the business. Prices: Guatemala’s inflation is projected at 3% in 2026, according to IMF figures cited in a regional outlook, amid rising global energy and food costs. Regional Energy: El Salvador’s record US$2.9 billion investment in power and water infrastructure could position it to supply energy to neighboring markets, including Guatemala.

Regional Business: Coca-Cola executive Alvaro Silva has been tapped to accelerate growth across Central America, including Guatemala. Export Costs: Rising diesel and fertilizer costs, trucking constraints and El Niño disruptions are threatening the low-cost banana supply chain from Guatemala to US buyers. Energy Investment: El Salvador’s $2.9 billion Cox Group deal will fund gas, solar and water infrastructure, with the country aiming to become an energy supplier to neighbors such as Guatemala. Trade Logistics: Guatemalan officials and exporters visited IAG Cargo’s Madrid perishables hub to discuss air links and access to European markets; no new agreements were announced. Puerto Quetzal has also added two Liebherr LHM 550 cranes.

Trade: IAG Cargo hosted Guatemalan officials and exporters at its Madrid hub to discuss air links and access to European markets for perishables. The visit brought no new commercial agreements. Food Costs: Higher fuel and fertilizer prices, tariffs and El Niño are squeezing the thin-margin banana trade; Guatemala is among the Central American suppliers exposed to the rising costs. Economic Pressure: Farmer groups in Guatemala called for action on inflation and living costs, proposing a national refinery and nationalization of electricity service. Port Infrastructure: Puerto Quetzal has added two Liebherr LHM 550 cranes, a boost to the country’s maritime trade facilities.