Treenuts market in Guatemala

Earlier Report Observations

The Guatemalan treenuts market between 2018 and 2020 was influenced by the established presence of Mayan Gold, a key processor and exporter of macadamia nuts leveraging favorable coastal growing conditions. The market size began at 27 776 t in 2018, then declined to 24 859 t in 2019 as exports surged to 10 543 t. It recovered to 28 258 t in 2020, a period where reduced export volumes coincided with increased global attention on immune-supporting foods like macadamia nuts during the COVID-19 pandemic, as noted by the Guatemalan Exporters Association.

Market dynamics shifted in 2021, with size contracting to 26 200 t as exports rebounded to 9 366 t, driven by sustained international demand for healthy snacks amid the ongoing pandemic. The following year saw a sharp expansion to 31 409 t, the highest in the period, primarily due to a dramatic fall in exports to 4 460 t, while domestic interest in nutritious nuts remained firm under persistent global wellness trends.

In 2023, the market size decreased again to 26 370 t as exports jumped to 9 609 t, reflecting strong and persistent overseas demand for Guatemalan macadamia and exotic nuts in the post-pandemic health-conscious market. Throughout these years, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food supported market transparency with regular price publications and its market information system, aiding sector planning.

Production treenuts in Guatemala

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of treenuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of treenuts, 2017-2020

Guatemala's treenuts production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 35 134 tonnes of treenuts, marking a modest increase of 2.1% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 5.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of treenuts production in Guatemala reached 178.6 million US dollars, up 17.5% from 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 5.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 152.0 million US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 180.5 million US dollars. The most significant drop was seen in 2019, with a decline of 15.8%.

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

Exports treenuts from Guatemala

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Guatemala exported 7 833 tonnes of treenuts, representing a sharp year-on-year decrease of 25.7%. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 3.4%, averaging an annual decline of 1.2%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 7 261 tonnes, and the highest was in 2019 at 10 543 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 45.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the primary destinations for Guatemala's treenuts exports by volume were Hong Kong, accounting for 33.1% of exports, El Salvador with 23.1%, and Vietnam at 15.7%. Together, these three markets made up 71.9% 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

Guatemala's treenuts exports in 2020 were valued at 39 821 thousand US dollars, down 14.5% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value decreased by 2.9%, with an average annual decline of 1.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 38 620 thousand US dollars, while the peak was in 2019 at 46 563 thousand US dollars. The most notable increase happened in 2019, rising by 20.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the key markets for Guatemala's treenuts exports by value were Hong Kong, representing 32.3% of exports, the United States at 29.3%, and Vietnam with 9.8%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 71.4% of total export value.

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

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

Imports treenuts to Guatemala

Imports in kind, t

Guatemala's treenuts imports have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 958 tonnes, reflecting a slight decrease of 3.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports dropped by 5.2%, averaging an annual decline of 1.8%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 1 109 tonnes. The largest decrease occurred in 2019, falling by 10.4%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, up 9.8%.

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

During 2017–2020, the main sources of treenuts imports to Guatemala by volume were the United States, contributing 34.6% of imports, the Philippines with 27.2%, and Vietnam at 14.0%. Together, these three countries supplied 75.8% of total import volume.

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

Guatemala's treenuts imports have fallen for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 4 597 thousand US dollars, down 8.5% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 31.9%, with an average annual decline of 12.0%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 7 609 thousand US dollars. The most significant drop was in 2019, with a 34.0% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2018, up 12.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the leading sources of treenuts imports to Guatemala by value were the United States, accounting for 38.3% of imports, Brazil with 20.1%, and Vietnam at 19.1%. These three countries together represented 77.5% of total import value.

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

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