Sucrose in solid form market in Guatemala

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Guatemalan sucrose market volume fluctuated, starting at 827 thousand tons in 2018, dropping to 751 thousand tons in 2019 due to increased exports, and rising to 891 thousand tons in 2020. The market's foundation was shaped by the standard use of chemical ripeners to enhance sucrose yield and by a production quota system managed by ten active mills, which collectively controlled domestic supply. In 2019, updated regulations on precursor chemicals introduced stricter oversight for industrial substances.

A turning point came in 2021 when the local research center Cengicaña introduced high-sucrose cane varieties, raising milling efficiency and contributing to higher production. This, coupled with lower export volumes, expanded the domestic market to 1 035 thousand tons. The following year, strong international demand led to a 22% jump in sugar exports at the start of 2022, diverting supply abroad and reducing the local market volume to 854 thousand tons.

By 2023, the market volume recovered to 1 049 thousand tons, supported by a drop in exports. Production remained stable at 1 790 thousand tons, influenced by harvest-period climatic conditions. Throughout the period, the market structure continued to be defined by quota allocation and coordinated practices among mills, which maintained tight control over domestic availability.

Production sucrose in solid form in Guatemala

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Guatemala ranked 26th globally in the production of sucrose in solid form.

Top producers of sucrose in solid form, 2017-2020

World map of production of sucrose in solid form, 2017-2020

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Production reached its lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Guatemala produced 1 723 K t of sucrose in solid form, marking a slight 2.1% decrease from 2019. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 759 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with an 85.0% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market displayed volatility over the observed period. Production volumes hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 1.8 times. In 2020, the output of sucrose in solid form in Guatemala was valued at 638.6 M $ US, reflecting a 0.9% year-over-year decline. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 679.0 M $ US. The largest increase was in 2018 with a 76.7% rise, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 5.1% drop.

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

Exports sucrose in solid form from Guatemala

Exports in kind, K t

Volatility characterized the market during these years. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2019, resulting in a peak-to-trough ratio of 6.4 times. In 2020, Guatemala exported 841 K t of sucrose in solid form, down 16.8% from the previous year. The maximum value was in 2019 at 1 011 K t, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 456.6% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guatemala supplied sucrose in solid form to numerous markets. Even the largest destinations—Chile, Mauritania, and the United States—collectively accounted for only 41.4% of total exports in kind.

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

The market showed volatility over the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 5.6 times. In 2020, Guatemala exported 311.8 M $ US of sucrose in solid form, representing a significant 15.8% drop from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 370.2 M $ US, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 431.5% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of sucrose in solid form from Guatemala in value terms were Chile (22.8% of exports), the United States (11.0%), and Côte d'Ivoire (8.7%). Together, they accounted for 42.5% of total exports, with many smaller partners making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports sucrose in solid form to Guatemala

Imports in kind, K t

Volatility marked the market behavior during these years. Import volumes were at their minimum in 2018 and peaked in 2020, showing a 323-fold shift. In 2020, Guatemala imported 9 K t of sucrose in solid form, up 177.5% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 0.0 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 29.3% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019 with an 11,555.1% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil was the overwhelmingly dominant supplier of sucrose in solid form to Guatemala, accounting for 97.3% 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, M $ US

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Import volumes hit their lowest level in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 38 times. In 2020, Guatemala imported 3.6 M $ US of sucrose in solid form, corresponding to a sharp 167.8% increase from the previous year. The minimum value was in 2018 at 0.1 M $ US. The largest decline was in 2018 with a 20.1% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019 with a 1,334.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil effectively monopolized imports in value terms of sucrose in solid form to Guatemala, capturing 91.8% of total flows.

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

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