Guatemala

Consumer health has seen demand dampened by consumers being confronted with very high inflation. The rate of 9.2% in 2022 was the highest experienced in decades. As a result, more consumers have been forced to prioritise household spending on…

Analgesics is set to see a decline in sales in 2023 as consumers have migrated away from aspirin in an uncertain economic environment and sought to prioritise household essentials, while turning to other categories to treat basic ailments such as…

Yoghurt is expected to register both a decline in current and constant value sales in 2023, though volume sales are expected to increase moderately. With inflation continuing to be an issue, consumers look to trade down and opt for cheaper brands. In…

Overall, value sales for plant-based dairy are low, dominated by soy drinks and other plant-based milk. That being said, plant-based dairy is expected to register the highest volume growth among all dairy and alternatives in 2023. Value sales are…

Other dairy is a sizeable product in Guatemala, with cream, condensed and evaporated milk being popular products. However, in 2023, with inflation still an issue, other dairy is expected to register both current and constant value decline and only…

Though milk power is losing ground to shelf stable UHT milk, it still accounts for most volume sales. Milk powder is an important dairy product for many Guatemalan families because it is affordable and offers a source of nutrition and also has a…

Dairy products and alternative is expected to register current value and volume growth, though inflation continues to hit companies’ profitability, with constant value sales expected to fall.

Cheese is expected to be one of the strongest performing dairy products in 2023, with double-digit value growth, as well as healthy volume growth. Lower-income buyers continue to consume unpackaged soft cheese (usually unbranded), which is available…

Butter and spreads is expected to register moderate current value growth, but constant value sales are expected to fall as persistent inflation cuts into profitability. In addition, with persistent inflation, consumers are expected to trade down –…

Baby food is expected to register moderate current value growth, but constant value sales are expected to fall as persistent inflation cuts into profitability. That being said, the disruptions in supply that were caused by a recall of Similac in…

Rapid population expansion in Guatemala in 2021-2040 will be led by strong, yet declining, rates of natural change. Ageing is set to accelerate further, although Guatemala will continue to be young regionally due to historically high birth rates.…

Sweet biscuits, snack bars and fruit snacks have generally performed well since the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these snacks fitted with the indulgence or healthier snacking trends in the country and have continued to thrive in the forthcoming years…

Sugar confectionery is a very mature category in Guatemala, with high levels of penetration and little room for growth. Except for standard mints and medicated confectionery, products are largely consumed by younger children, particularly at birthday…

Despite the challenging economy in 2023 and its negative impact on consumer purchasing power, snacks saw positive growth over the review period, notably in current value terms. Retail prices continued to rise amid further inflationary pressure in…

In 2023, savoury snacks is predicted to remain by far the best seller in snacks, in retail volume terms. The category continues to enjoy robust retail volume and current value growth in 2023 amid a well-developed culture for snacking occasions. Like…

In 2023, the return of normal lifestyles, and the absence of any pandemic restrictions, continues to have a positive impact on ice cream sales. Volume growth is proving robust in both the foodservice and retail channels in 2023, with sales strong…

Gum is one of the categories still suffering from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic’s harsh impact. Despite the full return of consumer mobility, retail volume sales will remain below pre-pandemic levels in 2023. Industry sources note that fewer…

Chocolate confectionery is witnessing slower retail volume and current value growth in 2023, with higher unit prices and inflationary pressure restricting consumption. The initial boost provided by the return of impulse occasions and social…

This report assesses the business environment in Guatemala, focusing on the regulatory environment, stability of the financial system, FDI intake, labour market flexibility and skillset, trade openness, mobility infrastructure, ICT adoption and…

The retail sector in Guatemala continued to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022, although at a slower pace than in 2021. Despite this, it still grew at a rate higher than inflation. The buoyancy of the retail sector was largely driven by…