Agriculture Guatemala is the world leader in cardamom production and export. As of 2013, demand for biofuels has resulted in diversion of land from subsistence agriculture to sugar cane and African Palm plantations. Much of the land is owned by large landlords. Due to legal requirements for production of biofuels in the United States the price of maize, a Guatemalan staple, has risen sharply. Agriculture accounts for 60% of Guatemalan exports and employs more than 50% of the labor force.
AGricultUrE GuAtemaLa Is thE woRlD LEAder in cardAmom prODucTIon and exporT. as OF 2013, demand For biofuElS hAS rESulted in DiVERsioN of lAnd fRom suBsIsTence agricultUre tO SugAr cAne aNd african palM plaNtaTioNs. MUch Of thE land Is OWneD By LaRge laNdlords. due To Legal RequiReMentS For PrODuCtioN Of bIofuElS in the uniTEd StaTeS the pRiCe oF MaiZe, a guatEmalaN sTAPle, haS RIsen sHarpLY. AgrIculTure aCcOuNtS For 60% oF GuatEmalaN EXporTs aNd emPlOys more ThaN 50% Of tHe LaBoR force