Potato market in Guatemala

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of fresh or chilled potatoes consumed in Guatemala fluctuated between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 482 thousand tonnes in 2018, the market grew to 536.6 thousand tonnes by 2020, then experienced a slight dip to 516.9 thousand tonnes in 2021. A significant surge followed in 2022, with consumption reaching 592.7 thousand tonnes, but this was followed by a sharp contraction to 457.5 thousand tonnes in 2023.

In 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food, through the Agricultural Science and Technology Institute, worked on releasing new potato varieties aimed at increasing local production. This initiative targets reducing dependency on imports, especially for specialty potatoes used in restaurant chains that require less oil for frying. Market requirements for consistent tuber size and pre-packaging continued to influence quality standards, while broader agricultural sector support for exports and technology provided a positive backdrop for producers.

Production potato in Guatemala

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Potato production in Guatemala increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 598.7 thousand tons of potatoes, marking a 2.3% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 8.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.8%.

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

Exports potato from Guatemala

Exports in kind, t

Potato exports from Guatemala declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 69 557 tons, representing an 8.6% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 11.1%, which equates to an annualized decline of 3.8%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 82 085 tons, with the largest increase of 4.9% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guatemala's potato exports in kind were highly concentrated, with El Salvador accounting for 100.0% of total 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

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export volumes peaked in 2019 and declined to their lowest level in 2017, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 3.3 times. In 2020, Guatemala exported 16 226 thousand US dollars worth of potatoes, marking a limited decline of 6.6% relative to the prior year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 17 380 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 110.6% occurring in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, El Salvador remained the almost exclusive buyer of potatoes from Guatemala, accounting for 100.0% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports potato to Guatemala

Imports in kind, t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019, with the lowest in 2018, reflecting a 2.2-fold gap. In 2020, Guatemala's volume of potato imports amounted to 7 496 tons, marking a decline of 2.7% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 3 475 tons, while the maximum was in 2019 at 7 706 tons. The largest decline of 47.6% occurred in 2018, and the largest increase of 121.8% was recorded in 2019.

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

In 2017 to 2020, the United States and Canada formed a dominant pair of markets for imports in kind, jointly accounting for 97.5% of total flows, with other countries representing the residual share.

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 market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports peaked in 2019 and bottomed in 2018, differing by a 2.2 multiple. In 2020, Guatemala imported a total of value_last_year thousand US dollars worth of potatoes, which was broadly stable compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 299 thousand US dollars, and the maximum in 2019 at 5 025 thousand US dollars. The largest decline of 46.8% occurred in 2018, while the largest increase of 118.6% was recorded in 2019.

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

Over 2017 to 2020, the United States and Canada were the dominant suppliers of potatoes to Guatemala, together taking 95.3% of total imports in value terms, with other destinations each accounting for relatively small shares.

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

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