Making the World Sweeter: Guatemala Strives to Export Candy Products to More Markets

According to Guatemala's "Free Press" newspaper, data from the Ministry of Economy shows that Guatemala's candy exports increased from $111.8 million to $117.8 million between 2022 and 2024, with main export destinations including Mexico, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic.

The Guatemalan company "Guandy", with over 30 years of candy production history, currently exports approximately 12,000 containers of marshmallows, soft candies, and chocolates to 35 different countries and regions annually. Company General Manager Gerardo Araneda noted that Guatemala has 10 candy companies nationwide, all with export operations.

According to Deloitte's Central America and Dominican Republic Economic Analysis Director Daniel González, Guatemala's candy exports currently represent only 1.8% of its export sector. However, Ministry of Economy Investment and Competitiveness Vice Minister Valeria Prado estimates that by 2030, considering raw material supply conditions, Guatemala's candy exports will reach $632 million.

Invest Guatemala's Investment Attraction Team Leader Wendy Mena pointed out that Guatemala's potential in the candy sector extends beyond candies to include pastries, cookies, and even vitamins—essentially "any product with sugar as a key ingredient".

To achieve the $632 million export goal by 2030, Prado indicated three key lines must be followed: innovation in packaging, flavor, and form; value chain development; and local industrialization of raw materials like cocoa and milk. Additionally, market expansion approaches must be improved.

Synthesizing recommendations from various stakeholders, Guatemala's candy export sector's future development includes: fully leveraging strategic partner relationships to acquire unavailable domestic products; adjusting national development strategies according to new health trends; developing more supply chains; establishing smooth transportation and economic decentralization strategies to prevent service concentration in the capital; collaborating between the Economy and Foreign Affairs Ministries to address new US tariffs; improving competitiveness in labor and utility costs; enhancing human training to compensate for labor shortages caused by migration.

Araneda highlighted logistics as an urgent area for improvement, noting that up to 30 international cargo ships currently await customs processing, with procedures taking two months instead of the expected one week.

Prado mentioned that the Ministry of Economy is collaborating with the