COUNTRY PROFILE
Discover more about the Guatemala market including overviews about the retail, food service, and food processing sectors. Events, resources, and more are linked throughout the profile.
1st
largest importer of U.S processed foods in Central America
$549.7 Million
total of U.S. processed foods imports in 2022
2.9% Increase
Expected growth in Guatemala’s economy
USDA’s Office of Agricultural Affairs, OAA, in Guatemala City, hereinafter referred to as “FAS Post Guatemala City” reports that around 30% of consumer-oriented agricultural products imported to Guatemala are from the U.S. In 2024, Guatemala imported US$885.7 million from the U.S., growth of 14% and a new record high and making it the largest market in Central America. This is a significant opportunity for U.S. companies, especially considering that as of January 1, 2024, nearly all U.S. consumer and industrial goods, except some sensitive agricultural goods (white corn, milk, and dairy), enter duty-free under the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement, or CAFTA-DR.
Guatemala is also the largest U.S. export market for processed foods in Central America. In 2024 U.S. exports of processed foods grew 15% to US$575.2 million, and a new record high.
Top processed food exports from the U.S. in 2024 included:
$7.1 Billion
estimated total of retail sales of packaged food products in 2024
$10.1 Billion
estimated growth in sales of packaged food products by 2029
Euromonitor has estimated that the 2024 retail sales of packaged food products in Guatemala reached US$7.1 billion. Guatemala remains the largest packaged food market in Central America. They also forecast the packaged food market to grow to US$10.1 billion by 2029.
Retail sales in Guatemala are expected to continue growing, along with retail e-commerce. Since the pandemic, retail ecommerce steadily increased, particularly among high-income consumers who prefer online shopping. However, rural and lower-income Guatemalans still favor visiting supermarkets due to limited online shopping options, as further investment is needed to enhance logistics and delivery networks.
U.S. products in the Guatemalan market with good sales potential such as red meats, poultry, dairy products, processed vegetables, frozen ready to eat foods, condiments, sauces, distilled spirits, beer and wine, baby food, chocolate and candy, jams and jellies, breakfast cereals, prepared/preserved seafood, canned fruits and vegetables, ice cream, and yogurts.
24.8 Years
The median age was 24.8 years in 2024
5%
The food and beverage sector accounts for 5% of Guatemala’s GD
30%
of consumer-oriented agricultural products imported to Guatemala are from the U.S
The food and beverage sector accounts for 5% of Guatemala’s GDP, with 1,200 active companies. This sector offers promising opportunities, particularly for new products aimed at health-conscious consumers or those with specialized dietary or medical needs.
The Guatemalan market is constantly evolving, with consumers embracing global food trends. There is growing interest in culinary experiences that blend traditional Guatemalan dishes with contemporary cuisines, leading to the rise of “signature cuisine” restaurants that cater to high-end consumers. Between 2019 and 2023, Guatemala’s GDP grew by an average of 3.6%, while the hotel and restaurant industry expanded by 5.1%.
FAS Post Guatemala City reports that products present in the Hotel Restaurant and Institutional (HRI) sector that offer good potential from the U.S. include beef and beef products, pork and pork products, poultry meat and products (ex. eggs), dairy products, processed fruits and vegetables, craft beers, snack foods, condiments and sauces, and frozen potatoes.
2,200
of the total manufacturing industry is from the food and beverage processing
20%
growth of the food and beverage processing industry in 2024
#1
In 2021, the Guatemala food and beverage processing industry became the country’s #1 top exporting sector
FAS Post Guatemala City reports that the Guatemalan food and beverage processing industry, comprising approximately 2,200 companies, accounts for 46% of the country’s total manufacturing industry. U.S. agricultural exports to Guatemala are crucial raw materials in this industry. Moreover, this sector is projected to grow by 20% in 2024, indicating a promising opportunity for U.S. companies.
Guatemala is one of the top food processing countries in Central America; meats and bakery and dairy products continue to lead the domestic food processing sector. U.S. suppliers have good opportunities to export products that can be used as ingredients for further processing.
FAS Post Guatemala City reports that the areas with the most growth potential for the food processing industry are processed meats, beverages, soy flakes and soy powder, artificial fruit flavors, baking mixes, tree nuts, fruit fillings, whey powder, protein concentrates, corn, soups and broths, and condiments.
