Zafreros are seen cutting sugar canes, in a sugar cane farm in Suchitepequez, on the eastern coastal zone of Guatemala. The people who cut sugarcane are called "cutter" or "zafreros." The zafra (sugar harvest) is the period of harvesting and processing sugarcane, and those who work during this time are known as "zafreros." They can also be referred to as seasonal workers in the sugar industry. The sugar cane industry in Guatemala is a major economic driver, particularly for its agro-industrial exports. It generates significant foreign exchange, employs a large number of people directly and indirectly, and supports numerous businesses throughout the country. Guatemala is a significant global player in the sugar market, being a top producer and exporter, especially within Latin America and the Caribbean. Sugar is the second agroindustrial product that is also the most exported of Guatemala. The Guatemala Sugar Agroindustry generates almost US $700 million in foreign exchange annually and provides more than 55,000 direct jobs and 278,000 indirect jobs in the country.
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