Milk powder market in Guatemala

Earlier Report Observations

The milk powder market in Guatemala experienced fluctuating volumes from 2018 to 2023, starting at 18,661 t and peaking at 21,010 t in 2022 before settling at 20,294 t. Growth was interrupted by slight declines in 2020 and 2021, with the latter year coinciding with increased state monitoring as the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA) expanded its Market Information System to track agricultural and livestock products, including milk powder.

In value terms, the market rose sharply from $67.5 million in 2018 to over $99.2 million in 2022, reflecting higher prices, before receding to $81.3 million in 2023. The state's enhanced market oversight through MAGA provided a structured information framework during this period of price volatility.

Domestic production hovered near 3,000 t annually, while imports—the primary supply source—varied between 16,000 t and over 18,000 t, directly shaping total market volume.

Production milk powder in Guatemala

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of milk powder, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk powder, 2017-2020

Guatemala's milk powder production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 3,095 tons of milk powder, marking a modest year-over-year increase of 2.1%. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 8.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Milk powder production in Guatemala has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 13,227 thousand US dollars, up 20.1% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 34%, with an annualized rate of 10.2%.

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

Exports milk powder from Guatemala

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2020 at 75 tons, a steep 54.3% decline from the previous year. In contrast, the peak was recorded in 2018 at 561 tons. The largest decrease occurred in 2019, falling by 70.6%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, surging 182.3%. Overall, volumes fluctuated by 7.4-fold between the extremes.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Guatemala's milk powder exports in volume terms were Nicaragua (28.5% of exports), Belize (24.5%), and El Salvador (23.6%). Together, these three countries accounted for 76.6% 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 volatile during these years. Export values hit a low in 2020 at 322 thousand US dollars, down 46.2% from the prior year. The peak was in 2018 at 1,970 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019, dropping 69.6%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, rising 185.9%. The difference between the highest and lowest values was 6.1-fold.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for Guatemala's milk powder exports in value terms were Nicaragua (30.2% of exports), Belize (29.4%), and Panama (19.1%). Collectively, these three countries represented 78.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports milk powder to Guatemala

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, milk powder imports into Guatemala declined. In 2020, imports totaled 16,702 tons, a 2.5% decrease from the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 17,133 tons, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 10.0%. From 2017 to 2020, imports overall increased by 12.8%, averaging 4.1% annual growth.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the key sources for Guatemala's milk powder imports in volume terms were Nicaragua (30.0% of imports), New Zealand (28.0%), and Costa Rica (23.9%). Together, these three partners made up 81.9% 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

Milk powder imports into Guatemala have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 65,065 thousand US dollars, up 4.4% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 25.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary sources for Guatemala's milk powder imports in value terms were Nicaragua (34.0% of imports), Costa Rica (27.8%), and New Zealand (24.1%). Together, these three countries accounted for 86.0% 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