Non coniferous sawnwood market in Guatemala

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, Guatemala's prohibition on exporting roundwood or sawnwood larger than 11 cm, established in the Forestry Law, kept more timber within the domestic market. This restriction continued to shape supply, and in 2020, increased internal demand for sawnwood drove the market volume up to 48 942 m³, despite the persistent influence of an informal sector relying on manual processing.

The market volume surged to 74 510 m³ in 2021, coinciding with the registration of a new certified wood treatment operator, RECICLADOS SITSA ECOPLANET, S.A., which expanded the country's formal processing capacity. At the same time, the implementation of the VISAR registry for wood packaging set new treatment and certification rules for exports, affecting logistics but the primary growth driver was the enlargement of domestic production capabilities.

After the 2021 peak, the market volume declined to 66 625 m³ in 2022 and 65 076 m³ in 2023. During this period, new governance standards were introduced: the 2022 Guide to Good Manufacturing Practices enhanced traceability, and the EU-FAO FLEGT program promoted FSC certification. The 2023 Forest Policy reinforced institutional frameworks. By 2024, new structural standards for sawnwood and the registration of additional sawmills, like Aserraderos de Guate, pointed toward further formalization and quality focus in the sector.

Production non coniferous sawnwood in Guatemala

In kind, 2017-2020, m³

Top producers of non coniferous sawnwood, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Guatemala produced 49 876 m³ of non-coniferous sawnwood, remaining virtually unchanged from 2019. Production decreased by 6.8% between 2017 and 2020, averaging an annual decline of 2.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 49 665 m³. The largest year-over-year decline occurred in 2018 at 7.2%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 0.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of non-coniferous sawnwood production in Guatemala reached 51 832 K $ US, an increase of 18.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 31%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.4%. The largest decline in value was recorded in 2019 at 6.9%.

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

Exports non coniferous sawnwood from Guatemala

Exports in kind, m³

Guatemala's exports of non-coniferous sawnwood declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, with volumes reaching 4 583 m³, a 44.4% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 56.8%, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -24.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic consistently held the top positions in Guatemala's export structure by volume. The United States accounted for 45.4% of exports, Honduras for 29.3%, and the Dominican Republic for 7.4%, collectively representing 82.1% 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

Guatemala's non-coniferous sawnwood exports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 4 763 K $ US, a sharp decrease of 33.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value fell by 39.2%, with a CAGR of -15.3%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 7 980 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase at 1.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United States, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic remained the primary markets for Guatemala's non-coniferous sawnwood exports by value. The United States accounted for 54.3% of export value, Honduras for 17.6%, and the Dominican Republic for 6.4%, together comprising 78.3% 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 non coniferous sawnwood to Guatemala

Imports in kind, m³

After two years of decline, Guatemala's imports of non-coniferous sawnwood increased in 2020, reaching 3 649 m³, a significant rise of 38.1% compared to the previous year. However, between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 4.1%, averaging an annual decline of 1.4%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 2 642 m³, which also experienced the largest decline at 28.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guatemala's import structure by volume was heavily concentrated on the United States, which accounted for 89.5% of total import flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

In 2020, Guatemala imported non-coniferous sawnwood valued at 2 523 K $ US, a 5.4% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 15.7%, with a CAGR of -5.5%. The lowest import value was in 2019 at 2 392 K $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 3 282 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 27.1%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 9.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States dominated Guatemala's imports of non-coniferous sawnwood by value, holding an 88.7% share of total import flows, with the rest distributed among other partners.

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

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