Five Centuries of History
The history of sugar cane in Guatemala dates to the 16th century, when Christopher Columbus brought the first plants to the new continent. Originally from Southeast Asia, sugar cane was already mentioned in Indian records of 1000 B.C. However, it was not until methods were discovered to transform their juice into granulated crystals that sugar began to gain relevance.
In Guatemala, sugar cane was grown by hand since the 16th century, and by 1587 there were already several trapiches in the valley of Guatemala. That same year, the municipality of Santiago established the ordinances of the guild of sugar makers, consolidating production in the region. The first mill was documented in 1591, marking the beginning of an industry that would evolve significantly over time.
The “Sugar Consortium” was founded on December 17, 1937, at a time when exports accounted for only 13% of production. Then, on September 17, 1957, the Association of Sugar Producers of Guatemala –Asazgua– was created, which became the cornerstone for the development and growth of the Sugar Cane Agroindustry in the country.
of history
Guatemala has moved from modest trapiches to modern factories with cutting-edge technology. In more than six decades, the sector has positioned itself globally for its quality, efficiency and innovation, being the sixth largest sugar exporter globally, the third largest in Latin America and the third largest in the world. In addition, the industry generates 52,000 direct jobs and 250,000 indirect jobs, making it the fifth most exported product in the country, with foreign currencies exceeding 800 million dollars annually.
This global success has been the result of a long journey of vision and transformation. Today, the Sugar Cane Agroindustry not only sweetens the lives of millions of people in the world, but also promotes development in Guatemala, promoting conditions of decent employment and social welfare for all.