Bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares market in Guatemala

Earlier Report Observations

The Guatemalan market for bread, pastry, and bakers' wares began the period with growth, reaching 56.9 million USD in 2019. This expansion was supported by the entry of new players in 2018, such as bakeries introducing Guatemalan-Portuguese fusions and Palestinian-style offerings, which broadened product variety and attracted consumer interest.

After a sharp contraction in 2020, the market recovered to 41.5 million USD in 2021 before declining again in 2022. During this time, the sector adapted through innovation, including the 2022 launch of Genba, the country's first online bakery, and the growing segment of gluten-free products. These changes catered to evolving preferences for convenience and health, modernizing retail channels even as total market volume eased.

Market size stabilized at 35.9 million USD in 2023, while exports of baked goods showed consistent strength, climbing to 240.7 million USD that year. By 2024, export-focused strategies became more pronounced, with Guatemala solidifying its role as a regional export platform. The sector benefited from new logistics models and active pursuit of international markets in the Caribbean, South America, and Canada, diversifying revenue streams beyond domestic consumption.

Production bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares in Guatemala

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares, 2017-2020

World map of production of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares, 2017-2020

In 2020, Guatemala produced 30 515 tons of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares, representing a 12.8% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 19.9%, which translates to an annualized decline of 7.1%. The largest drop occurred in 2018, at 15.2%, while the biggest increase was seen in 2019, with an 8.4% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the output of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in Guatemala was valued at 48 445 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 25.3% reduction from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 22%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -8.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 64 869 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 13.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Guatemala in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares from Guatemala

Exports in kind, t

Guatemala's exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 86 543 tons, marking a 20.1% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 12.3%, with a CAGR of 3.9%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 70 266 tons, which also experienced the largest decline of 8.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Honduras (33.0% of exports in kind), El Salvador (19.2%), and Nicaragua (14.7%) were the leading destinations for Guatemala's exports in this category, collectively accounting for 66.8% of total flows.

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, M $ US

Guatemala's exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in value terms increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 137.4 million US dollars, showing a 2.9% year-over-year advance. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 9.2%, with a CAGR of 3.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 124.7 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 0.9%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019 at 7.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Honduras (27.8% of exports in value terms), El Salvador (19.8%), and Nicaragua (13.6%) led the structure of Guatemala's exports in this category, together representing 61.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares to Guatemala

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Guatemala's imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 63 008 tons, down by 2.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 17.4%, with a CAGR of 5.5%. The highest volume was in 2019 at 63 008 tons, which also recorded the largest increase of 13.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, El Salvador (38.8% of imports in kind), Costa Rica (23.3%), and Honduras (17.3%) were the main sources for Guatemala's imports in this category, jointly accounting for 79.5% of total flows.

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, M $ US

Following a two-year increase, Guatemala's imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares from abroad declined. In 2020, imports totaled 120.6 million US dollars, indicating a moderate drop of 3.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 14.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.7%. The peak value was in 2019 at 125.5 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 10.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, El Salvador (37.8% of imports in value terms), Costa Rica (22.3%), and Honduras (16.2%) were the primary suppliers of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares to Guatemala, together comprising 76.4% of total imports in value terms.

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

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