TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Trade officials and businesses have reaffirmed their commitment to boosting the coffee trade between Guatemala and Taiwan.

Central America Trade Office Director Hsu Shao-hui (徐韶慧) told CNA on Monday that 13 coffee companies are in Guatemala to meet with the country's coffee businesses and support Guatemala. Speaking in Guatemala City, Hsu said the companies placed orders for 720,000 kg of coffee beans.

Hsu said the orders and the delegation represent Taiwanese consumers’ love for Guatemalan coffee and “booming business opportunities” between both countries. Guatemalan Vice Foreign Minister Julio Orozco thanked the delegation and Taiwan for promoting the country’s coffee, which he said benefits consumers and coffee farmers.

Hsu led a similar delegation to Guatemala in March last year and announced purchases of 468 tonnes of coffee beans. She said this year’s delegation had more companies and ordered 12 more shipping containers of coffee than last year’s.

The trade office said the delegation will visit the highland region of Huehuetenango to exchange with farmers, processing plants, and exporters. It said the delegation seeks to understand Guatemalan coffee producers' planting, harvesting, and roasting methods.

Delegation member Chang Cheng-jen (張正仁) told CNA that recent coffee price increases due to climate change and the pandemic have put pressure on importers. He said Brazil’s climate over the next two months will be a key factor for global coffee prices.

The International Trade Administration recently said coffee prices more than doubled between April 2024 and February 2025. However, it noted that Guatemalan coffee producers and exporters had not yet benefited from this increase due to a drought that reduced output.

Taiwan has worked to increase trade with Guatemala, particularly after China said it would reject its coffee and nut imports in May last year. At the time, Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo speculated that the move could be related to his country’s formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

Coffee, tea, and spices were Guatemala’s ninth biggest export last year, according to the country’s central bank. Taiwan was Guatemala’s 16th largest trading partner and second biggest in Asia, behind Japan.