Non coniferous roundwood market in Guatemala

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, Guatemala's non-coniferous roundwood production remained relatively stable, hovering around 8.5 million m³ annually. This stability was supported by the ongoing Forest Incentives Program (PINFOR) and community forest concessions, which encouraged legal harvesting and improved traceability. In 2019, the approval of a consolidated forestry law that banned the export of unprocessed roundwood and sawn timber over 11 cm thick redirected more wood toward domestic processing, helping to sustain production levels. The strengthening of the FLEGT program with EU support in 2020 provided further governance and technical assistance, contributing to steady market volumes despite global uncertainties.

Production entered a clear growth phase from 2021 onward, rising from 9.2 million m³ to over 10.3 million m³ by 2023. The initial implementation of the new Forest Policy in 2021 improved institutional support and monitoring mechanisms for producers. Simultaneously, rising U.S. demand for Guatemalan wood furniture and processed forest products—with exports jumping 27% in early 2022—created strong downstream pull for roundwood as raw material. This export boom, coupled with competitive pressure from imported coniferous timber, motivated local producers to increase output and adhere to stricter certification standards required by international markets.

The forestry sector's expansion continued into 2024, characterized by investments in processing infrastructure such as the ECOMADERA treated-wood plant, which increased industrial capacity. Ongoing value-chain projects under PINFOR further stimulated activity in plantations and biomass segments, setting the stage for potential future growth in roundwood supply.

Production non coniferous roundwood in Guatemala

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of non coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

World map of production of non coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

Guatemala's non-coniferous roundwood production declined after two years of growth. In 2020, production remained flat year-over-year at 8 499 K m³. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 2.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 8 544 K m³, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 1.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Guatemala in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Exports non coniferous roundwood from Guatemala

Exports in kind, m³

Guatemala's non-coniferous roundwood exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 15 115 m³, representing a dramatic 35.7% reduction compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 55.4%, which translates to an annualized decline of 23.6%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 41 003 m³. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 42.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 21.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Guatemala in kind, 2017-2020, m³

From 2017 to 2020, India and China were the key destinations for Guatemala's non-coniferous roundwood exports, together accounting for 99.4% of total export volumes.

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

The export value data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Guatemala exported 4 675 K US dollars worth of non-coniferous roundwood in 2020, representing a 55.0% decline from the previous year. The period recorded its peak in 2019 at 10 396 K US dollars and its lowest point in 2017, showing a 2.5-fold difference between these extremes. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 101.1%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, India and China remained the primary destinations for Guatemala's non-coniferous roundwood exports in value terms, together accounting for 99.4% 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 non coniferous roundwood to Guatemala

Imports in kind, m³

The import volume data shows signs of volatility over the observed period. In 2020, Guatemala imported just 2 m³ of non-coniferous roundwood, representing a sharp 97.7% reduction year-over-year. The period registered its peak in 2017 and its lowest point in 2020, showing a 67-fold fluctuation between these years. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2019 at 480.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Guatemala in kind, 2017-2020, m³

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Ecuador were the primary sources of Guatemala's non-coniferous roundwood imports, together accounting for 94.1% of total import volumes, while other markets represented a long tail of smaller contributors.

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

There were noticeable fluctuations in import value performance during the period. In 2020, Guatemala imported non-coniferous roundwood worth {value_last_year} K US dollars, which is 99.0% smaller than the previous year. The span from 2017 to 2020 saw a peak-to-trough amplitude of 195 times. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2019 at 304.6%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, the United States clearly dominated Guatemala's non-coniferous roundwood imports in value terms, accounting for 70.4% of total import value, while other countries each held significantly smaller shares.

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

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