Uncooked pasta market in Guatemala

Earlier Report Observations

The market for uncooked pasta in Guatemala showed considerable movement between 2018 and 2023. A strong expansion in 2019 was driven by growing consumer preference for longer-shelf-life foods and the broadening of distribution channels, which aligned with busier urban lifestyles. After a contraction in 2020, the market recovered robustly in 2021, a period that saw the opening of new supermarket branches like Despensa Familiar, directly improving product accessibility and supporting demand. Growth then essentially stabilized in 2022, a year marked by heightened health awareness influencing packaged food choices.

The expansion of retail networks remained a consistent market driver in subsequent years, with new store openings improving access to processed foods. Consumer trends favoring convenient and ready-to-eat meal solutions continued to support the pasta market during its growth phases. However, the market volume declined again in 2023.

In 2024, a significant regulatory change took effect with the new Central American Technical Regulation RTCA 67.01.31:20, which modernized sanitary registration procedures for prepackaged foods. This harmonized framework strengthens food safety controls and allows foreign companies to hold sanitary registrations in Guatemala, potentially affecting market structure. Concurrently, the retail landscape continued to evolve with new supermarket openings.

Production uncooked pasta in Guatemala

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of uncooked pasta, 2017-2020

World map of production of uncooked pasta, 2017-2020

In 2020, Guatemala produced 15 661 tons of uncooked pasta, marking a 26.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 33.1%, with an average annual decline of 12.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 8.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of uncooked pasta production in Guatemala was 13 701 thousand US dollars, representing a 28.4% drop from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 31.6%, which translates to an average annual decline of 11.9%. The most significant increase was recorded in 2019, with a 15.2% rise.

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

Exports uncooked pasta from Guatemala

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Guatemala exported 27 214 tons of uncooked pasta, showing an 11.3% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 5.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. The lowest export volume was in 2019, at 24 455 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 6.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main markets for Guatemala's uncooked pasta exports in volume terms were Honduras, accounting for 42.5% of exports, El Salvador with 27.2%, and Nicaragua at 7.1%. Together, these three countries represented 76.8% 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

In 2020, Guatemala's uncooked pasta exports were valued at 23 807 thousand US dollars, an 8.2% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export value rose by 7.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019, at 22 011 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 0.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua were the leading markets for Guatemala's uncooked pasta exports in value terms. Honduras accounted for 38.6% of exports, El Salvador for 29.1%, and Nicaragua for 7.5%, collectively making up 75.3% 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 uncooked pasta to Guatemala

Imports in kind, t

Guatemala's uncooked pasta import volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 16 952 tons, a 34.4% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 69.6%, with an average annual increase of 19.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guatemala's uncooked pasta imports in volume terms were primarily directed towards Mexico and Costa Rica. Their combined share accounted for 82.3% of total import flows, while other destinations played a secondary role.

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 uncooked pasta import value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 18 343 thousand US dollars, a 34.5% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value rose by 61%, with an average annual growth rate of 17.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Guatemala's uncooked pasta imports in value terms were largely focused on Mexico and Costa Rica. Together, they accounted for 83.7% of total import flows, with other destinations playing a minor role.

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

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