Cocoa powder and cake market in Guatemala

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for cocoa powder and cake in Guatemala grew from 6 158 t in 2018 to 7 542 t in 2023, a 22% increase. This expansion was primarily driven by rising imports, which increased from 1 992 t to 2 605 t over the period, as domestic production was insufficient to meet local demand. In 2018, the market relied heavily on Mexican beans to supply the shortfall, highlighting the structural gap between local output and consumption.

Domestic production rose steadily from 4 286 t in 2018 to 5 056 t in 2023, but remained below the needs of the growing market. By 2024, new regulatory measures came into effect, including the Central American Technical Regulation RTCA 67.01.31:20 for sanitary registration of packaged foods, which modernized safety standards starting August 2024. Simultaneously, legislative discussions on front-of-pack labeling advanced, which could affect packaging requirements and costs for local producers. International cocoa prices also rose due to global factors such as crop diseases in Africa, influencing both import dynamics and local production incentives.

Production cocoa powder and cake in Guatemala

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Guatemala ranked 30th globally in cocoa powder and cake production.

Top producers of cocoa powder and cake, 2017-2020

World map of production of cocoa powder and cake, 2017-2020

Guatemala's cocoa powder and cake production rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 4,626 tonnes, up 4.7% from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, production grew by 4.6%, averaging 1.5% per year. The lowest output was in 2018 at 4,286 tonnes, which also saw the biggest drop of 3.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following a two-year decline, Guatemala's cocoa powder and cake production value rebounded. In 2020, output was valued at $13,572,000, a 31.6% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 15.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.9%. The lowest value was in 2019 at $10,316,000, while the largest decrease occurred in 2018 at 12.3%.

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

Exports cocoa powder and cake from Guatemala

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Export volumes hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Guatemala exported 59 tonnes of cocoa powder and cake, a sharp decline of 47.8% compared to 2019. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 119 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 106.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Honduras (38.5% of exports in kind), Nicaragua (25.7%), and Costa Rica (22.2%) were the primary destinations for Guatemala's cocoa powder and cake exports, collectively accounting for 86.4% 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

Market behavior was marked by volatility in these years. Export values fluctuated, with a 1.9-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the high in 2018. In 2020, Guatemala's cocoa powder and cake exports totaled $172,000, a significant reduction of 34.4% from the previous year. The peak value was in 2018 at $288,000, which also experienced the largest increase of 87.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Honduras (37.1% of exports in value terms), Nicaragua (24.6%), and Costa Rica (20.4%) led as the top buyers of Guatemalan cocoa powder and cake, together making up 82.1% of total export value.

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 powder and cake to Guatemala

Imports in kind, t

Guatemala's cocoa powder and cake imports grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 1,000 tonnes, a 3.7% increase from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports rose by 17.3%, averaging 5.5% per year.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the Netherlands (28.9% of imports in kind), the United States (22.3%), and Spain (21.1%) formed the key group of partners for Guatemala's cocoa powder and cake imports, jointly representing 72.2% 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

Guatemala's imported cocoa powder and cake volumes increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports were recorded at $5,544,000, up 13.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 2.5%, with an average annual rate of 0.8%. The lowest value was in 2018 at $4,824,000, which also saw the largest decline of 10.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (28.1% of imports in value terms), the United States (25.7%), and Spain (20.2%) together accounted for 74.0% of total import value, serving as the main sources for cocoa powder and cake to Guatemala.

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

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