The United States and Guatemala have a strong trade relationship, with billions of dollars worth of goods exchanged each year. Let’s explore the top 10 products that dominate this trade partnership, looking at both exports and imports between these two countries.
1. Refined Petroleum
Refined petroleum is the most valuable product traded between the USA and Guatemala. The United States exports a large amount of refined petroleum to Guatemala, with the trade value reaching $3.71 billion in 2023. This makes up a significant portion of the total exports from the USA to Guatemala.
Refined petroleum includes products like gasoline, diesel fuel, and heating oil. These are essential for transportation, industry, and daily life in Guatemala. The high value of this trade shows how important energy products are in the relationship between these two countries.
2. Bananas
When it comes to products moving from Guatemala to the United States, bananas take the lead. In 2023, Guatemala exported $1.18 billion worth of bananas to the USA. This makes bananas the top agricultural export from Guatemala to the United States.
Guatemala’s warm climate is perfect for growing bananas, and the country has become one of the world’s leading banana exporters. Many Americans enjoy Guatemalan bananas in their daily diets, making this fruit a key part of the trade relationship.
3. Knit Sweaters and T-shirts
The textile industry plays a big role in trade between Guatemala and the USA. Knit sweaters and T-shirts are among the top products Guatemala exports to the United States. In 2023, Guatemala exported $561 million worth of knit sweaters to the USA.
T-shirts are also a significant export, with Guatemala sending $41.1 million worth to the USA in just one month (November 2024). This shows the strength of Guatemala’s clothing manufacturing industry and the demand for these products in the US market.
4. Coffee
Coffee is another major export from Guatemala to the United States. In 2023, Guatemala exported $438 million worth of coffee to the USA. Guatemalan coffee is known for its high quality and unique flavors, making it popular among coffee lovers in the United States.
The coffee trade between these two countries has a long history. Many small farmers in Guatemala depend on coffee exports for their livelihood, making this trade important not just economically but also socially.
5. Corn
Moving back to US exports to Guatemala, corn is a significant product. In 2023, the United States exported $333 million worth of corn to Guatemala. Corn is a staple food in Guatemala and is used in many traditional dishes.
The USA, being one of the world’s largest corn producers, supplies a large amount of this grain to Guatemala. This trade helps ensure food security in Guatemala and supports American farmers.
6. Petroleum Gas
Another important energy product in the trade relationship is petroleum gas. The USA exported $397 million worth of petroleum gas to Guatemala in 2023. This includes products like propane and butane, which are used for cooking, heating, and in various industries.
The export of petroleum gas from the USA to Guatemala helps meet Guatemala’s energy needs and supports economic activities in the country.
7. Soybean Meal
Soybean meal is an important agricultural product that the USA exports to Guatemala. In November 2024 alone, the USA exported $29.7 million worth of soybean meal to Guatemala. This product is mainly used as animal feed, supporting Guatemala’s livestock industry.
The trade in soybean meal shows how US agriculture helps support food production in Guatemala, creating a connection between farmers in both countries.
8. Poultry
Poultry, especially chicken, is a significant export from the USA to Guatemala. In 2023, the USA exported $193 million worth of poultry meat and products (excluding eggs) to Guatemala. This makes poultry one of the top agricultural exports from the USA to Guatemala.
Chicken is a popular protein source in Guatemala, and imports from the USA help meet the country’s demand for affordable meat products.
9. Fresh Fruits (excluding bananas)
While Guatemala is known for exporting bananas, it also imports other types of fresh fruits from the USA. In 2023, Guatemala imported $19.9 million worth of fresh fruits from the United States. These include fruits that don’t grow well in Guatemala’s climate, such as apples, grapes, and pears.
This trade in fresh fruits allows Guatemalans to enjoy a wider variety of fruits year-round, while also providing a market for US fruit growers.
10. Dairy Products
Dairy products round out our list of top traded items between the USA and Guatemala. In 2023, the USA exported $93.3 million worth of dairy products to Guatemala. This includes items like cheese, milk powder, and butter.
The dairy trade has been growing rapidly, with US dairy exports to Guatemala increasing by 45% from 2021 to 2022. This growth shows the increasing demand for dairy products in Guatemala and the ability of US dairy farmers to meet this demand.