According to Ambassador Rudy Coxaj, the Dominican Republic will be the hub for products from Guatemala bound to Europe. The diplomat said local ports will be used for perishables that go to Europe. He estimated at around 100 tons of air cargo and 24 containers of sea cargo will be mobilized through Dominican ports. He expects Guatemala to export 18 varieties of fruits and vegetables every month.
Guatemalan exports previously transited through Miami, Florida. He said market saturation in Miami had intensified the costs and the delays were causing exporters to have losses with perishable agricultural products.
The ambassador forecast the initiative could spur other nations in the region to use the Dominican Republic as a transit hub for their products. He said Guatemala still needs the Ministry of Agriculture to approve the phytosanitary protocol.
Coxaj stressed that the transit of Guatemalan products through the DR will generate new jobs. He said entrepreneurs will benefit from reduced transportation costs and delivery time of fresh produce from Guatemala to European countries.
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Fresh Plaza
13 November 2019