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Focused Trade Missions

Focused Trade Mission to Central America for Retail and Foodservice

Registration Closed Request Information
Event Date
January 19—23, 2026
Location
Guatemala and Panama
Registration Deadline
Dec 12, 2025
Registration Price
$625

Jumpstart Your Product Export Sales to Central America

The Central America region, including Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama, offers significant market opportunities for exporters of U.S. agricultural and food products due to key factors such as:

  • The region’s close proximity to the U.S. results in lower shipping costs and easy access.
  • Strong free trade agreements.
  • A growing population and middle class create increased demand for a variety of goods.
  • Consumers in Central America have a high regard for U.S. products, viewing them as higher quality. 

As the region continues to experience economic growth, demand for imported goods – particularly high‐value, consumer‐oriented food products – is on the rise.

Download the Flyer for the Focused Trade Mission to Central America for Retail and Foodservice

U.S. Export Opportunities in Central America

Products of Interest

Top U.S. products in demand:

  • Food Preparations and Ingredients 
  • Edible Oils
  • Processed/Prepared Dairy Products 
  • Processed Vegetables and Pulses 
  • Prepared/Preserved Meats 
  • Soups
  • Alcoholic & Non-Alcoholic Beverages
  • Condiments, Sauces & Dips
  • Jams, Jellies & Sweet Spreads
  • Snack Foods 
  • Ready Meals 
  • Baby Food 

Mission Itinerary 

Sunday, January 18, 2026: Arrive in Guatemala City

Monday, January 19, 2026: Briefing & Retail Tour

Tuesday, January 20, 2026: One-On-One Meetings with Buyers

Wednesday, January 21, 2026: Travel Home or Continue to Panama City

Thursday, January 22, 2026: Briefing & Retail Tour

Friday, January 23, 2026: One-On-One meetings with Buyers

Saturday, January 24, 2026: Depart

Schedule is subject to change.

Travel Information

Please consider resources such a www.travel.state.gov when determining if this event is appropriate for you or your company.

Focused Trade Mission Services Provided

  • One-on-one meetings with qualified buyers
  • Pre-event custom product research including market overview, importation and distribution analysis
  • Market briefing by local USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service
  • Retail store tour
  • Table top showcase
  • Inclusion in Trade Mission brochure containing your company profile, contact details and product lines
  • On-site assistance by Food Export’s In-Market Representative
  • Identifying top leads

Preparation Assistance

Central America Market Profiles

Start your trade mission journey now.
We have the market intelligence you need to make informed decisions to determine if this market is right for your products.

Access in-depth country-specific data and industry research

Complimentary Webinars

Our educational webinars provide up-to-date
exporter intelligence regarding specific markets, logistics, trade financing, documentation, how to meet and follow-up with international buyers, and much more.

View Available Webinars

Export Essentials Online

Whether you’re new to exporting or need to
refresh your skills, this free online training course provides a comprehensive, flexible approach to learning the fundamentals and logistics of exporting.

Learn More

BRANDED PROGRAM

Double Your International Marketing Budget

With the Branded Program, you may be eligible for 50% reimbursement on:

  • Promotions and product demonstrations
  • Advertising
  • Select international travel costs
  • Marketing and point-of-sale materials
  • Foreign market compliant packaging/labeling
  • And much more!
Learn More about the Branded Program

 

 

Your Connection To Growth®

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Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require reasonable accommodations or alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact us. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online https://www.ascr.usda.gov/filing-program-discrimination-complaint-usda-customer.

Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast reserve the right to deny services to any firm or individual which, in the sole opinion of Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast, does not comply with FAS, MAP or Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast regulations or policies, or otherwise offer the best opportunity to achieve its mission of increasing food and agricultural exports. Submission of any false or misleading information may be grounds for rejection or subsequent revocation of any application or participation. Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast are equal opportunity employers and providers.