Frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize market in Guatemala

Earlier Report Observations

The Guatemalan market for frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize saw volume drop from 6 029 t in 2018 to 4 493 t in 2019, while regulatory uncertainty arose from the proposed Ley 5504 on front-of-pack warning labels. Volume stabilized at 4 445 t in 2020 as COVID-19 boosted demand for frozen products with longer shelf life.

Post-pandemic, market volume grew to 4 519 t in 2021 and 5 448 t in 2022, supported by strong export performance in prepared frozen fruits and vegetables. By 2023, volume retreated to 4 998 t as producers adapted to the new RTCA 67.01.31:20 regulation updating sanitary registration and labeling rules.

Production frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize in Guatemala

In kind, 2017-2020, t

On a global scale, Guatemala ranked as the 17th largest producer of frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize during the period from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize, 2017-2020

Frozen vegetable production in Guatemala, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 54 990 tonnes, marking a decrease of 10.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 16.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 64 800 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 36.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the output of frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize in Guatemala was valued at 57 596 thousand US dollars, showing a modest increase of 6.4% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 45.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.3%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 62 553 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest annual increase of 58.1%. In contrast, 2019 saw the most significant decline of 13.5%.

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

Exports frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize from Guatemala

Exports in kind, t

Guatemala's export volume of frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 55 399 tonnes, down by 3.9% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 30.4%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 9.3%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 59 478 tonnes, which also had the largest annual increase of 40.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, nearly all exports of frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize from Guatemala went to the United States, accounting for 91.8% 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

In 2020, the value of frozen vegetable exports from Guatemala, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, reached 58 025 thousand US dollars, representing a 14.0% improvement over the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 63.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 11.4%, while the highest increase was in 2018 at 61.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States was the primary buyer of frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize from Guatemala, purchasing 89.4% of total exports by value. Other trading partners held relatively small shares.

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

World map of product's exports from Guatemala in value, 2017-2020

Imports frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize to Guatemala

Imports in kind, t

Guatemala's imports of frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 4 854 tonnes, a sharp increase of 486.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 1 265%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 139.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, the United States, and Ecuador were the main suppliers of frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize to Guatemala. China accounted for 68.8% of imports in volume, the United States for 10.4%, and Ecuador for 5.5%, together making up 84.7% of total import 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 import value of frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 5 804 thousand US dollars, a steep rise of 379.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 954.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 119.3%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, China, the United States, and Mexico formed the core of Guatemala's imports by value for frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize. China held 64.6% of the import value, the United States 14.1%, and Mexico 5.7%, collectively accounting for 84.3% of total import flows.

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

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