Manufacturing, which accounted for about one-fifth of the GDP in the early
21st century, is dominated by small-scale firms that operate with intermediate
levels of technology and possess limited processing capabilities. Dozens of
foreign-owned
maquiladoras (duty-free
manufacturing plants) were opened in the late 20th century, and by 1997 they
employed as many as 75,000 workers, mostly women. The major products
manufactured and processed are food products, beverages, textiles, clothing,
chemicals, lumber, and paper products. The production of capital and heavy
intermediate goods is minimal. Industrial plants are located largely in the
urban areas of
San Pedro Sula and
Tegucigalpa.
Mineral resources are limited but include silver, gold, lead, zinc, antimony,
iron, mercury, and copper. From the 19th to the mid-20th century, the economy
was largely dependent upon the production of silver and gold, particularly from
El Mochito mine, which was the largest in Central America. Mining accounts for a
tiny percent of the GDP, with zinc the leading mineral export
Honduras Industry Sectors
inSh Honduras’ industrial segment comprises limited small-scale
firms with intermediate level of technology and limited processing skills. The
major Honduras industries include sugar, coffee, textiles, clothing and wood
products. Honduras industrial segment employs nearly 20% of the country’s
population and contributes 28% to the GDP. Although the country has rich forest
reserves and deposits of silver, lead, zinc, iron, gold, antimony and copper,
inadequate infrastructure has hampered its exploitation and growth of the mining
industry.
An employee of the CAPROCAFIM cooperative in Honduras arranges cocoa seedlings.
With support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, TechnoServe and our
partners have revitalized the cocoa industry in Honduras, creating a new source
of income for farmers like the 60 members of CAPROCAFIM
Mineral resources are limited but include silver, gold, lead, zinc, antimony,
iron, mercury, and copper. From the 19th to the mid-20th century, the economy
was largely dependent upon the production of silver and gold, particularly from
El Mochito mine, which was the largest in Central America. Mining accounts for a
tiny percent of the GDP, with zinc the leading mineral export
Honduras traditionally has had limited industrial capacity with the country
relying mainly on exports of agricultural products such as banana and coffee.
However, the country made aggressive moves to expand its industrial base in the
1990s and made significant investments in the maquiladoras and non traditional
export segments like cultivated shrimp, following the signing of the CAFTA.
Increased investments have brought in new skills to the country, while adding
jobs and boosting industrial growth in the recent years. However, adverse
international conditions and the global financial crisis of 2007-09 have
resulted in reduced export demand and downtrend in industrial growth. Honduras’
industrial growth has declined from 4.4% in 2007 to around 4% in 2008 and -9.5%
in 2009.
