Leguminous vegetables market in Guatemala

Earlier Report Observations

Production of fresh leguminous vegetables in Guatemala grew consistently from 97.4 thousand tons in 2018 to 116.2 thousand tons in 2023. This expansion was supported by regulatory frameworks such as the Plant Variety Protection Law and the Plant and Animal Health Regulation, which improved production standards and export conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused supply chain disruptions, but output continued to increase.

The domestic market volume fluctuated due to export dynamics. In 2021, a 19.6% surge in exports of fruits, legumes and vegetables to new international markets reduced the volume available for local consumption to 31.0 thousand tons. However, in 2022, post-pandemic demand for healthy foods, particularly prepared legume and vegetable products, drove a sharp rebound in domestic consumption, pushing the market volume to 46.9 thousand tons.

By 2023, the market volume reached 51.3 thousand tons, supported by sustained production and continued domestic demand. Legislative developments, such as the proposed Healthy Food Promotion Law with front-of-pack labeling requirements and the upcoming Central American technical regulation on sanitary records, reflected growing regulatory focus on food quality and safety.

Production leguminous vegetables in Guatemala

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Guatemala ranked 29th globally in the production of leguminous vegetables.

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

Guatemala's production of leguminous vegetables grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 104 738 tonnes, showing a modest year-over-year increase of 2.4%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 15.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of leguminous vegetables produced in Guatemala reached 230.2 million US dollars, reflecting a strong year-over-year growth of 10.1%. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 32.2%, averaging 9.8% per year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 0.9%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 21.1%.

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

Exports leguminous vegetables from Guatemala

Exports in kind, t

Guatemala's exports of leguminous vegetables expanded for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume stood at 71 916 tonnes, up 3.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 9.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 2.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the primary destination for exports in volume, accounting for 74.9% of total flows, with the remainder distributed among various other markets.

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, M $ US

In 2020, the value of leguminous vegetables exported from Guatemala amounted to 158.1 million US dollars, an 11.3% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 25%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.7%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 1.1%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018 at 13.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States dominated exports in value terms, representing 73.8% of total flows, with the rest shared among multiple smaller destinations.

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

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

Imports leguminous vegetables to Guatemala

Imports in kind, t

The import market showed an unstable trend over this period. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 16 tonnes, while the highest was in 2017, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 12.7 times. In 2020, Guatemala imported 44 tonnes of leguminous vegetables, a sharp increase of 183.7% from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 85.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Costa Rica were the leading sources for imports in volume, together making up 85.0% of total flows, with other partners playing a minor role.

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, M $ US

Guatemala's imports of leguminous vegetables in value terms grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 0.1 million US dollars, a 7.5% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 39.9%, with an average annual decline of 15.6%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 0.1 million US dollars, with the largest drop that year at 65.7%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 at 63.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom (35.6% of import value), the United States (34.1%), and Costa Rica (25.0%) led the import structure in value terms, collectively representing 94.7% of total flows.

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

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