Frozen Vegetables in Guatemala: Tapping the Small Farmer’s Potential

Abstract

Alimentos Congelados, S.A. (ALCOSA) began operations in Guatemala in 1971. Hardly more than a household business at that time, ALCOSA specialized in freezing fruits and vegetables for the small local market and small quantities of specialized products, such as guacamole dip, for export. In 1975, the company was purchased by Hanover Brands, Inc. an American processor and distributor of frozen canned fruits and vegetables. With investments from Hanover and with increased financial support from the Latin American Agri-business Development Corporation (LAAD), ALCOSA’s plant was greatly expanded and its business reoriented toward the processing of large quantities of a few labour-intensive vegetables for the North American market.