Semi-milled or wholly milled rice market in Guatemala

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Guatemala expanded from 93.6 thousand tons to 167.8 thousand tons. This growth was supported by the Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Agrícolas (ICTA), which continued its conventional genetic breeding program to develop new rice varieties with good yield, disease tolerance, and milling quality. Despite these efforts, national production remained insufficient to meet domestic demand, leading to reliance on imports, which peaked at 24.1 thousand tons in 2020.

After a sharp contraction to 95.7 thousand tons in 2021, the market recovered to 149.0 thousand tons in 2022 before declining to 122.4 thousand tons in 2023. In 2021, ICTA introduced the ICTA Robusta variety, an improved cultivar with a 115 to 120-day cycle, aimed at strengthening national production. By 2023, the Ministerio de Economía (MINECO) authorized tariff contingents for the import of husked rice without tax payment to guarantee national supply due to persistent production shortfalls. In 2024, the Marco Law for the Integration of the Primary and Agricultural Sector (Decree 31-2024) was approved, creating special regimes for the production and marketing of agricultural products, including rice, to streamline tax regulations and enhance sector competitiveness.

Production semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Guatemala

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, 2017-2020

Guatemala's production of semi-milled or wholly milled rice grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 144.3 thousand tons, marking a significant 32.8% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 69.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 19.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Guatemala's production value of semi-milled or wholly milled rice increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 142.1 million US dollars, showing a dramatic year-over-year gain of 37.7%. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 104.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 26.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 68.5 million US dollars, which saw a decline of 1.6%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 50.6%.

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

Exports semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Guatemala

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at 352 tons and peaked in 2018 at 784 tons, with a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Guatemala amounted to 655 tons, an 86.4% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 55.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and the United States were the leading destinations for Guatemala's exports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice in kind. El Salvador accounted for 29.6% of exports, Costa Rica for 24.8%, and the United States for 23.2%. Together, these three countries represented 77.6% 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

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 334 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2020 at 645 thousand US dollars, with a 1.9-fold increase between these years. In 2020, shipments reached 645 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a sudden 93.1% year-over-year rise. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, falling by 46.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, El Salvador, and Costa Rica were the main destinations for Guatemala's exports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice in value terms. The United States accounted for 34.4% of exports, El Salvador for 25.4%, and Costa Rica for 21.6%. Collectively, these three countries made up 81.4% 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 semi-milled or wholly milled rice to Guatemala

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 7 660 tons and peaked in 2020 at 24 088 tons, showing a 3.1-fold variation. In 2020, Guatemala's imports amounted to 24 088 tons, representing a dramatic 156.3% rise compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 21.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United States, Brazil, and Paraguay were the key sources for Guatemala's imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice in kind. The United States accounted for 27.1% of imports, Brazil for 25.2%, and Paraguay for 18.0%. Together, these three countries represented 70.2% 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, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import values fluctuated, with the low point in 2018 at 4 962 thousand US dollars and the high point in 2020 at 14 448 thousand US dollars, a 2.9-fold difference. In 2020, import volume reached 14 448 thousand US dollars, representing a 139.1% year-over-year uptick. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, falling by 9.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Brazil, and Asia (not elsewhere specified) were the principal destinations for Guatemala's imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice in value terms. The United States accounted for 25.2% of imports, Brazil for 22.3%, and Asia for 15.8%. Jointly, these three accounted for 63.3% 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