Maize flour and cereals market in Guatemala

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for maize flour and cereals in Guatemala peaked at 1 525 thousand tons in 2019 but contracted to 1 480 thousand tons in 2020, disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. During the state of calamity, new sellers such as construction companies and agro-supply stores entered the market for basic foodstuffs, altering distribution channels amid broader supply chain challenges. Quality standards set by Government Agreement 298-2015 for nixtamalized maize flour had already been shaping product specifications since 2015, providing a regulatory backdrop for the market.

After a further decline to 1 440 thousand tons in 2021, the market stabilized at 1 441 thousand tons in 2022 and saw a modest recovery to 1 450 thousand tons in 2023. In 2021, the Ministry of Agriculture launched the improved ICTA Grano de Oro maize seed, resistant to 'Complejo Mancha de Asfalto' disease, which supported farm productivity and long-term supply resilience. Government efforts to advance food security legislation under the National Food and Nutrition Security System Law aimed at securing staple grain supplies. By 2024, tariff-free imports of white maize were authorized through ministerial agreements to prevent shortages and stabilize domestic prices.

Production maize flour and cereals in Guatemala

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Guatemala was one of the world's leading producers of maize flour and cereals from 2017 to 2020, ranking 22nd globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, maize flour and cereals production in Guatemala declined. In 2020, production reached 1 446 thousand tonnes, marking a 4.3% decrease compared to the previous year. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 511 thousand tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 2.4%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Guatemala

Exports in kind, t

Guatemala's maize flour and cereals exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume totaled 3 869 tonnes, showing a significant 21.7% drop year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 72.6%, representing a compound annual growth rate of -35.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, El Salvador (63.2% of exports in kind), the United States (11.9%), and Belize (10.6%) formed the core group of markets for Guatemala's maize flour and cereals exports, together accounting for 85.7% 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

After two years of decline, the value of Guatemala's maize flour and cereals exports increased. In 2020, exports totaled 4 366 thousand US dollars, representing a modest 9.0% gain compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, however, export values decreased by 43.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 17.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 4 004 thousand US dollars, while the largest annual decline occurred in 2018 at 39.3%.

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

During 2017-2020, El Salvador (60.4% of exports in value terms), Belize (13.4%), and the United States (10.1%) made the biggest contribution to Guatemala's maize flour and cereals export revenues, jointly accounting for 84.0% 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 maize flour and cereals to Guatemala

Imports in kind, t

The import market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 18 540 tonnes, then peaked in 2020 at 38 497 tonnes, representing a 2.1-fold increase between these years. The 2020 import volume marked a substantial 96.4% increase compared to 2019, while the largest annual decline occurred in 2018 at 15.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, El Salvador (57.3% of imports in kind), the Dominican Republic (15.0%), and the United States (9.0%) remained the leading sources for Guatemala's maize flour and cereals imports, with a combined share of 81.3% of total import volume.

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 data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import values reached their lowest level in 2018 at 10 923 thousand US dollars, then peaked in 2020 at 20 757 thousand US dollars, representing a 1.9-fold difference between these years. The 2020 import value showed an 85.1% increase year-over-year, while the largest annual decline occurred in 2018 at 10.1%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, El Salvador (50.4% of imports in value terms), the United States (16.0%), and the Dominican Republic (13.5%) formed the core of Guatemala's maize flour and cereals import expenditures, together accounting for 79.9% 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