Guatemala: Carob Market 2025

Carob Market Size in Guatemala

The Guatemalan carob market totaled $X in 2022, remaining stable against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. Carob consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Carob Production in Guatemala

In value terms, carob production reached $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate modest growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the production volume increased by 2.2%. Carob production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

The average yield of carob in Guatemala was estimated at less than X kg per ha in 2022, almost unchanged from the previous year. In general, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The carob harvested area in Guatemala totaled less than X ha in 2022, approximately mirroring 2021. Over the period under review, the harvested area showed a relatively flat trend pattern.

Carob Exports

Exports from Guatemala

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of carob, when their volume decreased by -7.2% to X kg. Overall, exports faced a dramatic decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 178%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, carob exports stood at $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 2,049%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Japan (X kg) was the main destination for carob exports from Guatemala, accounting for a 88% share of total exports. Moreover, carob exports to Japan exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the Netherlands (X kg), more than tenfold. Belize (X kg) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 2.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Japan stood at +20.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Netherlands (0.0% per year) and Belize (0.0% per year).

In value terms, Japan ($X) remains the key foreign market for carob exports from Guatemala, comprising 93% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Netherlands ($X), with a 2.4% share of total exports. It was followed by El Salvador, with a 0.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Japan stood at +37.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Netherlands (0.0% per year) and El Salvador (-16.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average carob export price stood at $X per kg in 2022, growing by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the average export price increased by 3,433%. The export price peaked at $X per kg in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per kg), while the average price for exports to Belize ($X per kg) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Japan (+14.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Carob Imports

Imports into Guatemala

In 2022, imports of carob into Guatemala soared to X kg, jumping by 3,086% on the previous year's figure. Overall, imports showed a buoyant increase. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, carob imports soared to $X in 2022. In general, imports enjoyed a pronounced expansion. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, China (X kg) constituted the largest supplier of carob to Guatemala, accounting for a 90% share of total imports. Moreover, carob imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Panama (X kg), more than tenfold.

From 2013 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from China was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Panama (0.0% per year) and the United States (+14.3% per year).

In value terms, the largest carob suppliers to Guatemala were China ($X), Panama ($X) and the United States ($X).

China, with a CAGR of 0.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average carob import price amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -77.9% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a abrupt shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 23% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Panama ($X per ton), while the price for China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (-21.0%).

Source: IndexBox Platform