Tomato market in Guatemala

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Guatemala's tomato market expanded significantly, with production rising from 329.3 thousand tons to 421.3 thousand tons. This growth was primarily driven by the adoption of protected agriculture technologies, supported by institutional programs like the "Mesoamérica sin Hambre" project that installed macro-tunnels and the long-standing promotion of greenhouse farming by MAGA since 2003. These initiatives helped increase yields and stabilize production against climate variability, leading to a market volume increase from 272.4 thousand tons to 359.6 thousand tons.

The market experienced fluctuations between 2021 and 2023. In 2021, volume dipped to 341.7 thousand tons as rising export demand for processed tomato products may have diverted some fresh supply. A sharp recovery followed in 2022, with volume reaching 418.4 thousand tons, bolstered by strong external demand from neighboring El Salvador and increased exports of fresh and frozen tomatoes to international markets. However, in 2023, volume fell to 385.2 thousand tons due to increased production costs and pest infestations, such as thrips and whitefly, which prompted many growers to invest in protected structures.

Throughout the period, regulatory developments shaped the market environment. The introduction of the Central American Technical Regulation on nutritional labeling in 2019 and the updated sanitary registration requirements in 2022 aimed to enhance food safety and consumer information. In 2024, the approval of the Food Labeling Law with front-of-pack warnings and the expansion of private company Veggiwell with new greenhouse facilities and distribution channels into Walmart Guatemala indicated ongoing investments and regulatory evolution in the tomato value chain.

Production tomato in Guatemala

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

Guatemala's tomato production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 421.3 thousand tons of tomatoes, marking a modest 3.3% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 29.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 9.0%.

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

Exports tomato from Guatemala

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Guatemala exported 62 104 tons of tomatoes, representing a 13.5% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 22.2%, with an annualized rate of 6.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 3.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, El Salvador was the dominant destination for Guatemala's tomato exports in volume, accounting for 84.6% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller markets.

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

Guatemala's tomato export value has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 29 407 thousand US dollars, showing a moderate 8.6% improvement over 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 64.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the structure of tomato exports in value terms was characterized by the predominance of the United States, which absorbed 70.3% of total flows, alongside a large number of minor trading partners.

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

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

Imports tomato to Guatemala

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Guatemala's tomato import volume amounted to 408 tons, reflecting a sharp increase of 198.9% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 7 105.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 316.1%.

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

During 2017–2020, Honduras and Mexico were the leading suppliers of tomatoes to Guatemala, together accounting for 96.2% of total imports in volume. Other sources each held relatively small shares.

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

In 2020, Guatemala's tomato import value reached 214 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a 391.8% increase compared with 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 3 857.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 240.8%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the partner structure for tomato imports in value terms was centered on Mexico, which held an 83.5% share of total flows, while other markets formed a less significant portion.

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

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