Poultry meat and offal market in Guatemala

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, Guatemala's poultry market volume expanded from 773 thousand tonnes to 816 thousand tonnes. This growth was supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food's (MAGA) National Poultry Health Program (PROSA), which ensured regular production and price stability through continuous monitoring of farms. Concurrently, major national processors like PROCASA and Cecarsa consolidated their market leadership by investing in slaughterhouse capacity and cold storage infrastructure, while product diversification into year-round items such as turkey sausages and burgers began to broaden consumer appeal.

The market surged to 983 thousand tonnes in 2020, largely due to supply chain adaptations and shifts in consumer behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. To guarantee supply, the industry adjusted logistics and reinforced sanitary protocols in processing plants, while increased demand for frozen and packaged poultry products emerged from changed purchasing habits. After a contraction to 823 thousand tonnes in 2021, the market rebounded strongly to 987 thousand tonnes in 2022. This recovery was fueled by new government policies aimed at strengthening local production and reducing import dependency, providing direct support to national producers.

Growth continued at a more moderate pace in 2023, with the market volume reaching 1 031 thousand tonnes, reflecting a stabilized expansion following the previous year's significant recovery.

Production poultry meat and offal in Guatemala

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of poultry meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of poultry meat and offal, 2017-2020

Guatemala's poultry meat and offal production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 855.2 thousand tons, representing a robust 25.0% growth compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 48.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, Guatemala's poultry meat and offal production value declined. In 2020, output was valued at 1 122 million US dollars, down 1.0% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 21.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 134 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with 14.5% growth.

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

Exports poultry meat and offal from Guatemala

Exports in kind, K t

Poultry meat and offal exports from Guatemala declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 1.2 thousand tons, down 52.4% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 43.7%, with an average annual decline of 17.4%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 3.2 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 53.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guatemala's poultry meat and offal exports in volume terms were almost exclusively directed to El Salvador, which accounted for 100.0% 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, M $ US

Guatemala's poultry meat and offal export value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 1.5 million US dollars, representing a 62.3% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value fell by 53.9%, equating to an annualized decline of 22.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 5.2 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 57.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Guatemala's poultry meat and offal exports in value terms remained heavily concentrated on El Salvador, which accounted for 99.9% 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 poultry meat and offal to Guatemala

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Guatemala's poultry meat and offal imports declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 129.4 thousand tons, marking a moderate 3.6% decrease from 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 134.2 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 3.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States remained the dominant and nearly exclusive source for Guatemala's poultry meat and offal imports in volume terms, accounting for 98.6% 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, M $ US

After two years of growth, Guatemala's poultry meat and offal import value declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 108.7 million US dollars, down 12.7% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 2.4%, equating to an annualized decline of 0.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 124.5 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 9.5%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, the United States was the key and nearly exclusive market for Guatemala's poultry meat and offal imports in value terms, accounting for 98.0% 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