Alliaceous vegetables market in Guatemala

Earlier Report Observations

The market for alliaceous vegetables in Guatemala expanded from 141.2 thousand tons in 2018 to 178.9 thousand tons in 2020. This growth was supported by the 2019 suspension of the Plant Variety Protection Law, often called the 'Monsanto Law,' which prevented transnational companies from patenting local seed varieties and encouraged domestic production. In 2020, updated phytosanitary regulations allowed the acceptance of equivalent measures from trade agreements, streamlining imports and contributing to a rise in import volumes.

After a slight stabilization in 2021, the market volume jumped to 208.4 thousand tons in 2022. This increase coincided with a 21% surge in exports of canned, frozen, and prepared fruits and vegetables, driven by international demand for value-added formats. The identification of new high-potential export vegetables, such as French beans and sweet peas, further signaled opportunities for diversifying the supply of fresh produce.

Production continued to climb, reaching 231.0 thousand tons in 2023, while the market size grew moderately to 211.9 thousand tons. The publication of the 2024 Price Yearbook provided monthly average price references for vegetables in major wholesale markets, aiding price formation and commercial negotiations for market participants.

Production alliaceous vegetables in Guatemala

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of alliaceous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of alliaceous vegetables, 2017-2020

Guatemala's production of alliaceous vegetables has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 201.0 thousand tons, marking a 2.5% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 15.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Guatemala in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports alliaceous vegetables from Guatemala

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Guatemala's exports of alliaceous vegetables have rebounded. In 2020, export volume reached 33 701 tons, showing a modest 9.8% increase compared to 2019. However, over the full 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 20.5%, averaging an annual decrease of 7.4%. The lowest point was in 2019 at 30 695 tons, which also saw the sharpest drop of 23.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Guatemala in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, El Salvador was the dominant destination for Guatemala's alliaceous vegetable exports, accounting for 75.4% of the total volume. The remaining exports were distributed among various countries, each with smaller individual shares.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Guatemala in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Guatemala's alliaceous vegetable exports in value terms reached 6 832 thousand US dollars, reflecting a slight 3.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 4%, with an average annual rate of 1.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 5 352 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 18.6%. In contrast, 2019 saw the highest value at 7 044 thousand US dollars, with the biggest increase of 31.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Guatemala in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, El Salvador and Honduras were the primary markets for Guatemala's alliaceous vegetable exports in value terms, together making up 82.7% of the total. The rest of the exports were spread across smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Guatemala in value, 2017-2020

Imports alliaceous vegetables to Guatemala

Imports in kind, t

The import market for alliaceous vegetables in Guatemala showed significant volatility during these years. Imports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 3 001 tons, then surged to a peak in 2020 at 11 534 tons—a 3.8-fold increase. In 2020, imports jumped by 125.5% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 73.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Guatemala in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico, Belgium, and China were the main sources of Guatemala's alliaceous vegetable imports in volume terms. Mexico accounted for 34.0%, Belgium for 26.8%, and China for 21.0%, together representing 81.8% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Guatemala in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market in value terms also exhibited volatility over the observed period. Imports reached their lowest in 2018 at 2 104 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2020 at 6 377 thousand US dollars, a threefold difference. In 2020, imports saw a dramatic 78.4% year-over-year increase. The largest decline was in 2018, falling by 62.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Guatemala in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017-2020, China, Mexico, and Belgium formed the core of Guatemala's alliaceous vegetable import markets in value terms. China led with 46.7%, followed by Mexico at 20.7%, and Belgium at 16.3%, collectively accounting for 83.6% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Guatemala in value, 2017-2020