Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Fresh onion (primarily traded as cured/dry bulb onions in wholesale channels) is supplied by domestic production and complemented by imports when national harvest volumes decline. MAGA’s DIPLAN wholesale market fichas for dry red onion indicate a typical domestic production window of January to August, with the second semester regularly supported by imported supply. Guatemala also participates in regional trade, exporting HS 070310 (onions and shallots, fresh or chilled) mainly to neighboring Central American markets while importing from Mexico, China, the United States, and the Netherlands. Phytosanitary permitting and documentation issued/managed through MAGA/VISAR are central compliance checkpoints for cross-border movement of onions.
Market RoleDomestic producer with seasonal import supplementation and regional exporter (HS 070310)
Domestic RoleStaple culinary vegetable supplied through national wholesale and retail channels, with distinct segments for national and imported dry onions monitored by MAGA/DIPLAN.
SeasonalityFor dry red onion in wholesale market monitoring, domestic production is typically reported from January to August; in the second semester, supply is regularly supported by imports.
Specification
Primary VarietyRed Creole (dry red/purple onion segment)
Physical Attributes- Wholesale monitoring commonly segments onions by color/type (dry red/purple onion; dry white onion) and by size class using bulb weight and dimensional thresholds.
Grades- Calidad: Primera (first quality) is explicitly referenced in MAGA/DIPLAN wholesale fichas for onions.
Packaging- Wholesale: burlap (arpilla) or polypropylene sacks
- Consumer: plastic bag
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Domestic production/harvest → curing/drying (seco) → size/quality selection → sack packing → wholesale distribution → domestic retail and regional export flows
Shelf Life- MAGA/DIPLAN wholesale fichas cite a shelf-life range of 80–90 days for dry onions in the monitored segments.
Freight IntensityHigh
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighPhytosanitary non-compliance is a deal-breaker risk: onions are regulated plant products, and Guatemala’s import pathway requires a MAGA phytosanitary import permit and an international phytosanitary certificate from the origin NPPO/ONPF (including additional declarations when required). Document gaps, missing declarations, or pest-related interceptions can lead to rejection and trigger return/authorization procedures.Lock a pre-shipment checklist aligned to MAGA/VISAR requirements (SIGIE workflow, phytosanitary certificate wording/additional declarations, and any required quarantine treatment evidence) and run a document-review gate before dispatch.
Seasonality MediumSeasonal supply swings can shift the market toward imports: MAGA/DIPLAN’s wholesale fiche for dry red onion notes typical domestic production from January to August, with the second semester regularly supported by imported supply when national harvest volumes decline.Plan procurement and inventory strategy around the Jan–Aug domestic production window and validate import lead times and documentation earlier for the second semester.
Logistics MediumRegional trade exposure is concentrated in nearby Central American markets; border delays or transport disruptions can quickly erode delivered quality and increase costs for a bulk commodity like onions, affecting both export programs and import replenishment.Use route-specific transit-time buffers, stage inventory near consumption centers where feasible, and align Incoterms/claims handling with expected border and inspection timing.
FAQ
When does Guatemala’s domestic onion supply tend to be highest, and when do imports become more important?In MAGA/DIPLAN’s wholesale market ficha for dry red onion, the domestic production period is described as January to August under normal climatic conditions, and the second semester is noted as being regularly supplied with imported product for that segment.
Which countries are key trade partners for Guatemala in fresh onions and shallots (HS 070310)?In 2023 UN Comtrade data published through World Bank WITS, Guatemala’s main export destinations for HS 070310 include El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the United States, while key import suppliers include Mexico, China, the United States, and the Netherlands.
What is the core phytosanitary requirement to import onions into Guatemala?Guatemala’s official trámites guidance for the phytosanitary import permit (MAGA) lists documentary requirements that include an international phytosanitary certificate issued by the country-of-origin NPPO/ONPF, with additional declarations when required by MAGA and quarantine treatment certification when applicable.