Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormCanned
Industry PositionProcessed Food Product
Market
Canned peas (HS 200540) in Guatemala are supplied largely via imports, with UN Comtrade data (via WITS) showing imports in 2023 and major supplying countries including the United States, Mexico, China, and Spain. Market access is shaped by Central American technical regulations (RTCA) that require sanitary registration for processed foods and mandatory label elements such as net content, drained weight (when in liquid medium), lot identification, country of origin, and the sanitary registration number. Modern retail listings in Guatemala show multiple brands of canned peas on shelf, including local brands marketed for home cooking and foodservice use. As a shelf-stable product, canned peas are available year-round and are typically distributed through supermarkets and broader grocery/wholesale channels.
Market RoleNet importer
Domestic RoleShelf-stable vegetable ingredient used in home cooking and foodservice
SeasonalityYear-round availability driven by shelf-stable canning and steady import supply.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Can integrity (no swelling/leaks) and clean seam condition are practical acceptance checks for shelf-stable canned vegetables.
- Uniform pea size and color retention are common buyer expectations for canned peas.
Compositional Metrics- RTCA labeling requires net content declaration; for solid/semi-solid foods packed in a liquid medium, drained weight must also be declared in SI units.
Packaging- Metal cans are common; Guatemala retail listings show multiple can sizes (e.g., ~425 g and ~800 g) depending on brand and channel.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Pea preparation (sorting/blanching) -> filling with brine/sauce -> can seaming -> thermal sterilization (retort) -> coding (lot/date) -> case packing -> ambient warehousing -> import customs clearance (if imported) -> wholesale/retail distribution
Temperature- Ambient distribution (no cold chain) with storage practices that protect cans from excessive heat, moisture, and physical damage.
Shelf Life- Shelf-stable unopened; once opened, refrigerate and consume within a short period as advised by brand guidance (example guidance: up to 14 days).
Freight IntensityHigh
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighCanned peas can be detained or rejected if sanitary registration and RTCA-compliant labeling requirements (e.g., Registro Sanitario number, country of origin, lot code, expiry date, net content and drained weight where applicable) are missing or incorrect for products marketed in Guatemala.Complete sanitary registration planning early with the authorized importer; run a pre-shipment label/legal checklist against RTCA requirements and retain supporting documentation for inspection.
Documentation Gap MediumRTCA sanitary registration procedures note that official/legal documents originating abroad must be legalized and require official translation when not in Spanish; document gaps can delay registration and customs clearance timelines.Prepare legalized originals and certified translations (if applicable) before filing; align brand owner, manufacturer, and importer data across CLV/export certificates, labels, and registration forms.
Logistics MediumCanned peas are freight-intensive; ocean freight and inland trucking cost spikes or port congestion can raise landed cost and disrupt replenishment for Guatemala’s retail and foodservice channels.Use forward freight planning with buffer stock at importer warehouses; consider multi-origin sourcing and consolidate shipments to reduce per-unit logistics cost volatility.
Food Safety MediumNon-conformance with applicable food safety criteria (including microbiological safety expectations used for registration/surveillance in Central America) can trigger product withdrawal, recalls, or heightened inspections for canned vegetables in Guatemala.Require validated thermal process controls (retort) and finished-product verification aligned to applicable regional criteria; maintain lot-level traceability and rapid recall procedures.
FAQ
What HS code is typically used to classify canned peas for import into Guatemala?Canned peas are commonly classified under HS 200540 (peas (Pisum sativum), prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen). In Guatemala, tariff determination is done under the SAC (8-digit) system and can be checked using SAT’s integrated tariff consultation tools.
What are the key label elements that must appear for canned peas sold in Guatemala?Under RTCA general labeling rules for prepackaged foods, labels typically must declare net content and (when packed in liquid medium) drained weight, the sanitary registration number (e.g., 'Registro Sanitario' / 'RS'), the country of origin, an indelible lot code, an expiry date marking, and importer/distributor identification for imported products. If the original label is not in Spanish, an RTCA-compliant complementary label can be used.
Is sanitary registration required before commercializing canned peas in Guatemala?Yes. Guatemala’s MSPAS provides a sanitary registration process for processed foods, aligned with the Central American RTCA procedure for granting/renewing/modifying sanitary registration for processed prepackaged foods.