Legume bran, sharps and residues market in Guatemala

Earlier Report Observations

The market for legume bran, sharps and residues in Guatemala experienced significant volatility between 2018 and 2024. After starting at 3 816 t in 2018, the total market volume contracted sharply to 2 241 t by 2020, driven primarily by a steep decline in imports. This downward trend reversed decisively in 2021, initiating a period of sustained growth that saw the market expand to 4 281 t by 2023.

The market's recovery and subsequent expansion from 2021 onward were supported by new regulatory and agricultural policy drivers. The introduction of the Comprehensive Management Regulation for Common Solid Waste and Residues (Government Agreement 164-2021) established a formal framework for handling agricultural by-products. Concurrently, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA) actively promoted sustainable farming practices, specifically encouraging the use of organic fertilizers made from residues like legume bran. This dual push increased the demand for these materials as a valued input for compost and organic fertilizer production, supporting the steady rise in imports and overall market volume through 2023 and into 2024.

Production legume bran, sharps and residues in Guatemala

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Guatemala was among the world's leading producers of legume bran, sharps, and residues from 2017 to 2020, ranking 29th globally by production volume.

Top producers of legume bran, sharps and residues, 2017-2020

World map of production of legume bran, sharps and residues, 2017-2020

Legume bran, sharps, and residues production in Guatemala increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 681.1 t, marking a moderate uptick of 3.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 8.2%, which translates to an annualized decline of 2.8%. The lowest production was recorded in 2018 at 650.5 t, with the largest year-on-year drop occurring that same year at 12.3%.

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

Exports legume bran, sharps and residues from Guatemala

Market data shows that Guatemala did not export any legume bran, sharps, and residues from 2017 to 2020.

Imports legume bran, sharps and residues to Guatemala

Imports in kind, t

Guatemala's imports of legume bran, sharps, and residues declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 1 560 t, reflecting a sharp decrease of 39.8% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 34.4%, equating to an annualized rate of decline of 13.1%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 165 t, with the largest year-on-year increase also occurring in 2018 at 33.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, two markets—Nicaragua and Costa Rica—dominated Guatemala's imports of legume bran, sharps, and residues in kind, together accounting for 100.0% 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 imports of legume bran, sharps, and residues in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 121.3 K $ US worth of these products, corresponding to a 54.0% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 59%, which translates to an annualized decline of 25.7%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 371.8 K $ US, with the largest year-on-year increase also in 2018 at 25.5%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Nicaragua and Costa Rica were the key markets for Guatemala's imports in value terms, with Nicaragua accounting for 71.1% and Costa Rica for 28.9% of total flows, together making up 100.0%.

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

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