Cassava market in Guatemala

Earlier Report Observations

Cassava market volume in Guatemala declined significantly from 4 372 t in 2018 to 1 791 t in 2023. The sharpest drop occurred in 2019, followed by relative stability in 2020 and a slight recovery in 2021.

In 2021, post-pandemic demand for value-added and convenient food products, such as canned and frozen cassava, drove a 21% increase in exports of processed fruits and vegetables from Guatemala. This export growth supported domestic production and contributed to a market volume rise to 3 051 t.

Despite the popularity of cassava snacks and preserved products among Guatemalan consumers from 2022 onward, overall market volume continued to shrink, falling to 1 829 t in 2022 and 1 791 t in 2023. By 2024, international demand for prepared cassava products like pre-cut, peeled, and frozen items offered new export opportunities, facilitated by improved market information systems.

Production cassava in Guatemala

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cassava, 2017-2020

World map of production of cassava, 2017-2020

Guatemala's cassava production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 2,995 tonnes of cassava, which was 5.0% lower than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 38.9%, with an average annual decline of 15.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 5,016 tonnes. The largest year-on-year decrease occurred in 2019, when production dropped by 37.2%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, with a 2.3% rise.

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

Exports cassava from Guatemala

Exports in kind, t

The market experienced significant fluctuations during this period. Export volumes varied widely, with a 42-fold difference between the peak in 2018 and the low in 2020. In 2020, Guatemala's foreign cassava supplies amounted to 15.7 tonnes, representing a sharp year-on-year decline of 95.5%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 653.5 tonnes, and the largest increase occurred that same year, with a jump of 1,044.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, El Salvador was the dominant buyer of cassava from Guatemala, accounting for 91.2% of total exports in volume terms.

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, $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Export values peaked in 2019 and hit their lowest point in 2020, with a 19-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Guatemala's foreign cassava supplies totaled $5,007 US, marking a sharp decline of 94.9% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at $97,596 US, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 1,040.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure in value terms was heavily concentrated on El Salvador, which accounted for 73.2% of total flows. Other partners made up the remaining share.

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

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

Imports cassava to Guatemala

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import levels fluctuated, with a 2.5-fold difference between the high in 2020 and the low in 2017. In 2020, Guatemala's cassava imports were recorded at 13.2 tonnes, representing a 120.1% increase from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 38.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Costa Rica and Honduras together accounted for 85.4% of total imports in volume terms. The remaining share was distributed among other destinations, each with smaller individual contributions.

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, $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import values peaked in 2020 and dropped to their lowest point in 2017, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 2.2 times. In 2020, Guatemala imported approximately $13,285 US worth of cassava, reflecting an abrupt gain of 65.3% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 24.9%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 78.0%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the primary suppliers of cassava to Guatemala in value terms were Costa Rica (51.7% of imports), the United States (22.7% of imports), and Honduras (17.1% of imports). Together, these three countries accounted for 91.5% 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