Chocolate and cocoa products market in Guatemala

Earlier Report Observations

The Guatemalan chocolate and cocoa products market volume expanded from 4 659 tons in 2018 to 4 988 tons in 2019, supported by high domestic demand that exceeded local production and led to increased imports. This demand was partly fueled by the ongoing implementation of the National Cocoa Agrocain Strategy 2016-2025, aimed at strengthening the cocoa sector. Market volume then contracted to 4 622 tons in 2020.

A recovery followed in 2021, with market volume reaching 5 027 tons, coinciding with the adoption of the Guatemalan Technical Standard NTG 34159 for chocolate products, which set quality specifications to enhance competitiveness. The market entered a phase of accelerated growth, surging to 6 182 tons in 2022 and further to 7 177 tons in 2023.

In 2024, regulatory developments took center stage with the approval of the Healthy Food Promotion Law, introducing front-of-pack warning labels for products with excess critical nutrients. Concurrently, consumer preference shifted towards chocolates with healthier and sustainable attributes, signaling a transformation in market dynamics.

Production chocolate and cocoa products in Guatemala

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of chocolate and cocoa products, 2017-2020

World map of production of chocolate and cocoa products, 2017-2020

Guatemala's production of chocolate and cocoa products has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1 301 tons, which is 5.2% higher than the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 8.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.8%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 172 tons. That year also saw the largest decline of 2.1%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase at 5.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value of chocolate and cocoa products production in Guatemala has risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 2 600 thousand US dollars, showing a gradual increase of 5.0% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 7%, which translates to an annualized rate of 2.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 327 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 4.2%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 at 6.4%.

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

Exports chocolate and cocoa products from Guatemala

Exports in kind, t

Exports of chocolate and cocoa products from Guatemala have declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 5 489 tons, reflecting a moderate contraction of 3.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 15.8%, with an average annual decline of 5.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets—Honduras, El Salvador, and the Dominican Republic—remained central to Guatemala's exports in kind, collectively accounting for 68.2% 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, K $ US

The value of Guatemala's chocolate and cocoa products exports has fallen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 10 965 thousand US dollars, marking a limited decline of 3.4% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 17.1%, with an average annual reduction of 6.1%.

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

During 2017–2020, Honduras (25.6% of exports in value terms), El Salvador (23.2%), and the Dominican Republic (16.0%) were the main markets for Guatemala's exports in value terms, together making up 64.8% 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 chocolate and cocoa products to Guatemala

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Guatemala's import volume of chocolate and cocoa products reached 8 809 tons, indicating a measured fall of 6.5% over the past year. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 9 420 tons. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 6.2%.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, Mexico (33.8% of imports in kind), the United States (31.7%), and El Salvador (11.7%) consistently held leading positions in Guatemala's import structure in kind, jointly accounting for 77.1% 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, K $ US

Imports of chocolate and cocoa products into Guatemala have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports came to 34 530 thousand US dollars, down by 4.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 2.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 0.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 36 474 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 7.8%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the three largest markets—the United States, Mexico, and El Salvador—remained central to Guatemala's imports in value terms, together taking 82.9% of total flows.

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

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