Not carded or combed cotton market in Guatemala

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market volume for not carded or combed cotton in Guatemala contracted from 36 397 t to 30 367 t. The sharp drop in 2020 coincided with the global COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted international supply chains and reduced import flows.

A strong recovery followed, with the market expanding to 35 654 t in 2021 and reaching 45 875 t in 2022. The local textile and apparel industry demonstrated resilience by adapting to online sales and pursuing vertical integration. Nearshoring trends with Mexico and North America opened new opportunities for regional production, boosting demand for cotton raw materials. Although domestic cotton supply faced harvest shortfalls in 2022, pushing up local prices, several infrastructure projects for textile production were launched, setting the stage for future capacity growth.

Market volume eased to 41 459 t in 2023. Meanwhile, Guatemalan exports of cotton garments such as t-shirts, sweaters, and blouses accounted for 11% of total exports in 2024, reflecting sustained international demand for cotton-based products manufactured in the country.

Production not carded or combed cotton in Guatemala

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of not carded or combed cotton, 2017-2020

World map of production of not carded or combed cotton, 2017-2020

In Guatemala, production of not carded or combed cotton reached 3 526 tonnes in 2020, marking a slight decrease of 1.0% compared to the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 441 tonnes. That same year saw the largest decline of 3.8%, while 2019 experienced the most significant increase of 3.5%.

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

Exports not carded or combed cotton from Guatemala

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their minimum in 2018 at just 1 tonne, then surged to a peak of 20 tonnes in 2019, representing a 14.3-fold increase between these years. In 2020, Guatemala's exports of not carded or combed cotton fell to 3 tonnes, an 85.4% decrease from the previous year. The most substantial growth occurred in 2019 with a remarkable 1 330.0% increase.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Guatemala's exports in kind were concentrated in just two countries: El Salvador and Honduras. Together, they accounted for 100.0% of total export flows during this period.

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 data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export values bottomed in 2018 at 0.2 thousand US dollars, then peaked in 2019 at 40 thousand US dollars, representing a 190-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Guatemala's export value of not carded or combed cotton reached 0.4 thousand US dollars, down 99.1% from the previous year. The most dramatic increase occurred in 2019 with an extraordinary 18 905.2% growth.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guatemala's exports of not carded or combed cotton in value terms were almost entirely concentrated in El Salvador, which accounted for 95.8% 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 not carded or combed cotton to Guatemala

Imports in kind, t

Guatemala's imports of not carded or combed cotton declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 26 844 tonnes, a 14.6% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, imports actually increased by 17.2%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 5.4%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 32 957 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 43.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States remained the overwhelmingly dominant supplier of not carded or combed cotton to Guatemala, accounting for 99.2% of total imports in kind.

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

Guatemala's imports of not carded or combed cotton in value terms declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 45 850 thousand US dollars, a significant decrease of 24.9% from the previous year. Over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, import values increased by 6.2%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 2.0%. The peak import value was recorded in 2018 at 67 641 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 56.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guatemala's imports of not carded or combed cotton in value terms were almost completely tied to the United States, which accounted for 99.2% 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