Guatemalan exporters are struggling to comply with new China's food safety rules

On 1 January 2022 new import rules from China’s Government entered into the force. New rules demand a new registration procedure for foreign food suppliers in 18 food categories considered high and medium risk, but detailed information was available until October 2021, causing delays in the registration process for exporters. During the 2022 first trimester, Guatemalan exporters have experienced problems completing registration; in 2021, coffee and macadamia were the most important agricultural products exported to China, and exporters are worried that exports might decrease during 2022. Chinese authorities must support exporters to complete registration, so trade between Guatemala and China does not get affected.