Dried shelled beans market in Guatemala

Earlier Report Observations

The Guatemalan dried shelled beans market began the period at a high volume of 273 thousand tons in 2018, supported by the continued release of improved, virus-resistant bean seed varieties by the state agricultural institute ICTA, which helped sustain domestic production. A sharp contraction followed in 2019, with the market volume falling by over 40% to 154 thousand tons, a decline likely exacerbated by the adverse climate conditions identified as a risk to bean crops. The market then stabilized at this lower level through 2020.

From 2021, the market entered a phase of gradual recovery, reaching 171 thousand tons by 2023. This growth was driven by a significant increase in imports, which rose from 22 thousand tons in 2020 to 32 thousand tons in 2023, offsetting persistent challenges in local production. Domestic output continued to face pressures from biotic factors like pests and diseases, as well as damaging droughts that affected cultivated areas, limiting supply growth from within the country.

In 2024, although full-year market size data is not available, import volumes surged to 43 thousand tons. This rise was facilitated by a government measure from MINECO authorizing the tariff-free import of 15 thousand tons of black beans to prevent shortages and control prices. Concurrently, a lack of rainfall in key northern and eastern growing regions pressured domestic supply, further necessitating increased imports to meet demand.

Production dried shelled beans in Guatemala

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled beans, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried shelled beans, 2017-2020

Guatemala's dried shelled bean production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 134.2 thousand tons, marking a 6.8% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 47%, which translates to an average annual decline of 19.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 258.4 thousand tons. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 44.2% decrease, while the largest increase was seen in 2018 at 2.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of decline, Guatemala's dried shelled bean production value increased. In 2020, the output was valued at 142.9 million US dollars, showing a modest rise of 5.6% compared to the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 59.2%, averaging an annual decline of 25.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 135.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 59.9%.

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

Exports dried shelled beans from Guatemala

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export volumes fluctuated significantly, with a 9.4-fold difference between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020. In 2020, Guatemala exported 2 907 tons of dried shelled beans, a sharp increase of 116.3% from the previous year. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 309 tons, which also experienced the largest decline of 34.1%. The biggest increase occurred in 2019 with a 335.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and the United States were the main markets for Guatemala's dried shelled bean exports in volume terms. Costa Rica accounted for 35.5% of exports, El Salvador for 29.8%, and the United States for 23.4%. Together, these three countries made up 88.7% of total export 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 during these years. There was a 7.7-fold variation between the minimum in 2018 and the maximum in 2020. In 2020, Guatemala's dried shelled bean exports were valued at 3 094 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp increase of 145.2% year-over-year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 403 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 37.9%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 with a 213.1% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, Costa Rica, and El Salvador were the primary buyers of Guatemala's dried shelled beans in value terms. The United States accounted for 41.7% of exports, Costa Rica for 27.5%, and El Salvador for 26.5%. Collectively, these three markets comprised 95.7% 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 dried shelled beans to Guatemala

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility over the observed period. Import volumes varied, with a 1.9-fold difference between the low in 2019 and the high in 2020. In 2020, Guatemala imported 22 223 tons of dried shelled beans, a sharp increase of 94.4% from the previous year. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 11 431 tons, which also experienced the largest decline of 24.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Argentina, the United States, and Nicaragua—together accounted for 78.3% of Guatemala's total dried shelled bean imports in volume terms.

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

The market showed an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. There was a 2.3-fold variation between the low in 2019 and the high in 2020. In 2020, Guatemala imported dried shelled beans valued at 9 177 thousand US dollars, representing a steep increase of 132.6% from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 9 177 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 28.5%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, the United States, Argentina, and Nicaragua were the main suppliers of dried shelled beans to Guatemala in value terms. The United States accounted for 33.4% of imports, Argentina for 29.0%, and Nicaragua for 16.4%. Together, these three countries made up 78.7% of total import value.

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

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