U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez checks out the produce at   
 Hortifruti/Wal-Mart Oct. 1, 2008. Gutierrez was in the country with a group of
 U.S. business executives looking for trade possibilities.

According to the U.S. government under the Central American Free Trade Treaty:
 
· More than half of current U.S. farm exports to Central America become duty-free immediately, including high quality cuts of beef, cotton, wheat, soybeans, key fruits and vegetables, processed food products, and wine, among others.

· Tariffs on most U.S. farm products will be phased out within 15 years. U.S. farm products that will benefit from improved market access include pork, beef, poultry, rice, fruits and vegetables, corn, processed products and dairy products.

· U.S. farmers and ranchers will have access to Central American countries that is generally better than suppliers in Canada, Europe and South America.

· The U.S. and Central America are working to resolve sanitary and phytosanitary barriers to agricultural trade, in particular problems and delays in food inspection procedures for meat and poultry. Central America ismoving toward recognizing export eligibility for all plants inspected under the U.S. food safety and inspection system.