Citrus fruit market in Guatemala

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for citrus fruit in Guatemala increased slightly from 743.5 thousand tons in 2018 to 753 thousand tons in 2019, before declining to 702 thousand tons in 2020. During the pandemic, international demand for processed fruit and vegetable preparations grew by 21%, opening opportunities for Guatemalan exports in markets like Canada and Mexico.

Market volume continued to contract over the next two years, falling to 659.3 thousand tons in 2021 and 551.7 thousand tons in 2022. Throughout this period, the Ministry of Agriculture provided technical assistance to citrus growers to improve crop management and productivity, while the national fruit export sector expanded overall, reaching $3.9 billion in agro-exports in 2022. New players such as Conservas y Congelado Ya Está, S.A. gained prominence by exporting value-added products, and consumer trends shifted toward ethnic and premium processed fruit items.

A recovery began in 2023, with the market volume rising to 584.1 thousand tons. This upturn coincided with strong fruit export performance, where shipments exceeded $200 million by April, driven by demand from the United States, the Netherlands, and Central American partners. Ongoing support from agricultural institutions emphasized quality and phytosanitary management to meet international standards.

Production citrus fruit in Guatemala

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

In 2020, Guatemala produced 665.1 thousand tons of citrus fruit, marking a moderate 8.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 0.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Citrus fruit production in Guatemala declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 533.8 million US dollars, reflecting a moderate 9.6% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 33.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.9%.

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

Exports citrus fruit from Guatemala

Exports in kind, t

Citrus fruit exports from Guatemala declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 5 448 tons, showing a strong 20.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 26.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.9%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 9 509 tons, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 27.9%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 27.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, the United States, and the United Kingdom were the key partners for Guatemala's citrus fruit exports in kind. The Netherlands accounted for 27.9% of exports, the United States for 20.0%, and the United Kingdom for 18.6%, together representing 66.6% 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

Exported citrus fruit volumes from Guatemala declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 4 372 thousand US dollars, down by 21.5% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 46.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.0%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 9 793 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline in 2019 at 43.2% and the largest increase in 2018 at 18.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iraq, the Netherlands, and the United States stood out as the main markets for Guatemala's citrus fruit exports in value terms. Iraq accounted for 29.4% of exports, the Netherlands for 20.6%, and the United States for 13.8%, together representing 63.8% 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 citrus fruit to Guatemala

Imports in kind, t

Imported citrus fruit volumes in Guatemala increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 42 288 tons, indicating a steep 28.7% uptick compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 18.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.8%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 26 603 tons, with the largest decline also in 2018 at 25.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in kind was highly concentrated, with Honduras alone accounting for 92.3% 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

After a two-year drop, Guatemala's volume of citrus fruit imports increased. In 2020, imports amounted to 5 324 thousand US dollars, showing a gain of 54.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 6.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 3 451 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 18.1%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Honduras, the United States, and Chile formed the core of Guatemala's citrus fruit imports in value terms. Honduras accounted for 35.8% of imports, the United States for 28.9%, and Chile for 15.8%, together taking 80.5% 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