Cocoa butter market in Guatemala

Earlier Report Observations

Guatemala's cocoa butter market grew steadily from 2018 onward, with production rising from 3 800 t to 4 484 t over the period. This expansion was initially supported by the Ministry of Agriculture's implementation of the National Cocoa Chain Strategy 2016-2025, which included distributing cocoa plants to farmers and promoting fine aroma cocoa cultivation to strengthen the supply chain. The efforts by AGEXPORT's Cocoa and Chocolate Committee to highlight Guatemalan quality in international competitions further bolstered the sector's profile.

Market growth continued through 2023, reaching a volume of 4 683 t. In 2022, local supply from several departments introduced some fluctuations, while international cocoa futures prices influenced domestic trading conditions. The sector's momentum was reinforced in 2023 by ongoing international recognition of Guatemalan cocoa quality, including awards for companies like Kampura S.A., sustaining the premium reputation of local production.

Production cocoa butter in Guatemala

In kind, 2017-2020, t

On the global stage, Guatemala ranked as the 29th largest producer of cocoa butter between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of cocoa butter, 2017-2020

World map of production of cocoa butter, 2017-2020

Guatemala's cocoa butter production grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 4 102 tonnes of cocoa butter, showing a modest increase of 4.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 4.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 800 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 3.1%.

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

Exports cocoa butter from Guatemala

Exports in kind, t

The market experienced significant fluctuations during this period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018, while the highest occurred in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 8.8 times. In 2020, Guatemala exported 0.3 tonnes of cocoa butter, representing a 35.1% decrease compared to the previous year. The minimum value was 0.1 tonnes in 2018, and the maximum was 0.5 tonnes in 2019. The largest decline was 86.9% in 2018, while the largest increase was 781.5% in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guatemala's cocoa butter exports in kind were almost entirely directed to the United States, which accounted for 92.6% 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

The market displayed volatility over the observed period. Import levels varied significantly, with a 14.3-fold difference between the high in 2019 and the low in 2018. In 2020, cocoa butter shipments from Guatemala totaled 6.9 thousand US dollars, indicating a controlled contraction of 3.2% relative to the prior year. The minimum value was 0.5 thousand US dollars in 2018, and the maximum was 7.1 thousand US dollars in 2019. The largest decline was 90.2% in 2018, while the largest increase was 1,331.1% in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, virtually all cocoa butter exports in value terms from Guatemala were linked to the United States, with its share reaching 93.9% 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 cocoa butter to Guatemala

Imports in kind, t

Cocoa butter deliveries to Guatemala increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 177.6 tonnes, up by 68.7% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 12.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 81.7 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 48.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the main sources for cocoa butter imports in kind to Guatemala were Ecuador (60.8% of imports), Peru (17.2%), and Mexico (14.7%), collectively accounting for 92.7% 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

Cocoa butter imports into Guatemala rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 953.2 thousand US dollars, an increase of 64.0% over the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 29.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.0%. The minimum value was 422.3 thousand US dollars in 2018, and the largest decline that year was 42.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ecuador (56.3% of imports in value terms), Mexico (19.2%), and Peru (17.1%) together absorbed 92.6% of total cocoa butter imports in value terms to Guatemala, making them the primary sources.

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

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