TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan Sugar Corp. (TSC) has donated a new school building in Guatemala to express gratitude to local coffee farmers and support education.
Guatemala is Taiwan’s fourth-largest coffee supplier, accounting for 12% of the nation's coffee market. More than one in ten cups of coffee consumed in Taiwan is Guatemalan, per CNA.
TSC has been sourcing coffee beans from Guatemalan smallholder farmers since 2023. By importing these beans, TSC aims to improve the livelihoods of Guatemalan farmers and their communities.
The new school building, a joint effort between the Taiwanese embassy in Guatemala, the Taiwan Sugar Foundation, and the Guatemalan non-profit organization Guatemala Prospera, is located in Sacatepequez Department. It can accommodate 275 kindergarten and elementary students.
Eduardo Magernans, head of Guatemala Prospera, expressed optimism that the new school would catalyze change, empowering children to shape their futures through education.
Ambassador Chang Chun-fei (張俊菲) commended Taiwanese companies for supporting Guatemalan education. She highlighted Taiwan's dedication to improving education in Guatemala and fostering deeper bonds between the two nations.
Japan is the largest Asian importer of Guatemalan coffee, with a 12% market share. South Korea follows with 4% and Taiwan with 2%. Taiwan primarily consumes its Guatemalan coffee domestically, while Japan often re-exports these beans to various markets, including Taiwan, according to Mirror Media.
To streamline the coffee trade between Taiwan and Guatemala, the Central American Trade Office hopes to establish direct procurement channels between businesses in both countries. This would bypass intermediaries like Japan and reduce costs for both parties.