Unmanufactured tobacco and refuse market in Guatemala

Earlier Report Observations

The Guatemalan unmanufactured tobacco market operated under a stable regulatory framework throughout the period, with Decree 61-77 governing cultivation, trade, and export since 1977 and Decree 74-2008 mandating smoke-free public spaces. These longstanding rules provided a consistent environment for producers, though the market faced ongoing challenges from cigarette smuggling, which accounted for an estimated 31% of total consumption in 2018 and affected the legal supply chain.

Market volume dynamics were significantly influenced by shifts in domestic consumption. The confinement measures during the COVID-19 pandemic led to increased tobacco product use from 2020 onward, which raised local demand for raw leaf and contributed to a reduction in export volumes, thereby expanding the domestic market size. This trend was further supported in 2022 by the absence of specific legislation regulating e‑cigarettes, which maintained consumer access to traditional tobacco products.

The launch of IQOS ILUMA in 2023 introduced a novel heated tobacco segment to Guatemala, reflecting the entry of new technology and product diversification. Concurrently, a reported decrease in tobacco imports helped moderate the earlier growth in consumption, contributing to a contraction in the domestic market volume that year as more leaf was likely directed toward export channels.

Production unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in Guatemala

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Guatemala ranked as the 21st largest global producer of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse.

Top producers of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse, 2017-2020

World map of production of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse, 2017-2020

In 2020, Guatemala produced 29 709 tonnes of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse, showing little change from the 29 655 tonnes recorded in 2019, which was the lowest level during this period. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 0.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in Guatemala was valued at 129.4 million US dollars, marking an 11.4% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 17.5%, averaging an annual decline of 6.2%. The largest increase was observed in 2019, at 4.5%.

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

Exports unmanufactured tobacco and refuse from Guatemala

Exports in kind, t

Exports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse from Guatemala declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, shipments totaled 10 774 tonnes, a modest year-on-year decrease of 7.1%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 13 330 tonnes, with the largest decline of 13.0% occurring in 2019 and the largest increase of 23.1% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Germany, and Poland were the top three markets, collectively accounting for 71.3% of Guatemala's total exports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse by volume.

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

Exports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse from Guatemala fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the value of these exports was 46.911 million US dollars, down 17.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 17.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 6.2%. The peak value was in 2018 at 62.796 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 10.4% also recorded that year.

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

During 2017–2020, the United States, Germany, and Poland remained the primary destinations for Guatemala's unmanufactured tobacco and refuse exports by value. The United States accounted for 41.2%, Germany for 17.3%, and Poland for 9.9%, together making up 68.4% 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 unmanufactured tobacco and refuse to Guatemala

Imports in kind, t

Imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse into Guatemala showed notable fluctuations over the period. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 0.0 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 1 tonne, representing a 31-fold difference. In 2020, imports reached 0.0 tonnes, a 5.9% increase from the previous year. The largest decline of 96.8% occurred in 2019, and the largest increase of 8.7% was in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Honduras was the main source for unmanufactured tobacco and refuse imports into Guatemala, consistently supplying 90.7% of total imports by 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

In 2020, Guatemala's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse were valued at 3 000 US dollars, reflecting a strong year-on-year increase of 13.6%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 14.3%, averaging an annual rise of 4.6%. The highest value was in 2018 at 3 000 US dollars, with the largest decline of 21.4% in 2019 and the largest increase of 27.9% in 2018.

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

Over 2017–2020, the United States, Honduras, and Argentina were the leading suppliers of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse to Guatemala by value. The United States contributed 53.9%, Honduras 23.9%, and Argentina 19.2%, together accounting for 97.0% 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