Manufacturing

A labor confederation representative estimates that about 40% of Honduras's maquiladoras (assembly factories) have shut down, severely impacting employment and family incomes in the northern industrial zone.

Honduras's manufacturing industry grew 1.5% in the first quarter of 2026, reversing a 3.0% contraction in the prior quarter, driven by increased demand for food and beverages including processed coffee, fish, oils, flour, and bakery products.

Honduras's manufacturing sector grew, driven by food production—coffee, meat, and fish processing—and construction materials including cement, concrete, and steel reinforcing bar, the Central Bank reported.

Honduras's apparel-manufacturing sector has created roughly 2,000 new jobs in recent months and reported fewer mass layoff announcements, though unions warn that thousands remain jobless and call for dialogue to accelerate rehiring.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Cortés warned that international companies have suspended investment plans in Honduras pending the outcome of U.S. tariff negotiations, citing concern that a 10% tariff and potential further restrictions could push capital to competing Central American countries and hurt the manufacturing and job sectors.