Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormDry (Roasted & Ground)
Industry PositionProcessed Consumer Packaged Food
Market
Guatemala is a major coffee producer and export-oriented origin country, with Anacafé reporting 3.73 million quintales of green coffee (café oro) exported in coffee year 2024–2025. Exports of roasted coffee (which includes ground coffee under HS 090121) are much smaller, with WITS/UN Comtrade reporting roasted coffee exports in 2023. Coffee harvest generally runs from late November through March, varying by region and altitude. Domestic ground-coffee offerings are marketed by local roasters through coffee shops and direct/online sales, often positioned around Guatemala’s recognized regional origin profiles; EU-bound supply chains face near-term traceability/geolocation compliance pressure under the EU Deforestation Regulation with application dates beginning 30 December 2026 for large/medium operators.
Market RoleMajor producer and exporter (primarily green coffee), with a small roasted/ground coffee export segment and a domestic roasted/ground consumer market
Domestic RoleRetail and coffee-shop consumption of roasted/ground coffee supplied by domestic roasters; regional-origin positioning is visible in domestic branded offerings
SeasonalityHarvest generally starts in late November and extends through March; timing varies by region and altitude.
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighEU market access risk: the EU Deforestation Regulation covers coffee (HS/CN 0901) and requires deforestation-free due diligence, including traceability and plot geolocation. Non-compliance can block placing Guatemalan ground coffee on the EU market as the regulation’s application dates approach (30 December 2026 for large/medium operators; 30 June 2027 for micro/small operators).Implement farm-level traceability with geolocation, document legality/land-use compliance, and align shipment-level dossiers with EU buyer due-diligence and Information System submission workflows well before 30 December 2026.
Labor & Social HighReputational and buyer-compliance risk: Guatemala coffee is flagged on the U.S. Department of Labor’s List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor, increasing audit and remediation expectations from international buyers (including for branded roasted/ground products).Adopt a credible child-labor risk management program (supplier codes, third-party audits, grievance mechanisms, remediation pathways) and maintain documentary evidence for buyer due diligence.
Climate MediumProduction and quality volatility risk from coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix) and variable climate conditions; Guatemala’s agriculture authorities describe rust as a potentially devastating disease that can significantly reduce productivity, and sector technical bulletins indicate ongoing monitoring and recommendations.Use integrated rust management (monitoring, timely control measures), renovate with appropriate resistant/tolerant material where suitable, and diversify sourcing across regions/altitudes to smooth supply risk.
Logistics MediumFreight cost and transit variability can compress margins for roasted/ground coffee exports (smaller volumes and higher packaging/processing cost base than green coffee), especially during container-rate shocks or route disruptions.Contract freight with buffers where feasible, optimize pack formats and palletization, and prioritize higher-margin specialty contracts that can absorb logistics volatility.
Sustainability- Deforestation-free compliance and land-use traceability expectations for coffee supply chains (EUDR) affecting access to EU buyers
- Disease and climate resilience pressure (including coffee leaf rust) influencing yield stability and quality consistency
Labor & Social- Child labor risk: U.S. DOL ILAB lists coffee from Guatemala as associated with child labor risk, creating reputational and due-diligence exposure for buyers and brands
FAQ
When is the coffee harvest season in Guatemala?Guatemala’s coffee harvest generally starts in late November and runs through March, with timing varying by region and altitude; higher-altitude areas tend to harvest later.
Does Guatemala export roasted/ground coffee, or mainly green coffee?Guatemala mainly exports green coffee, with Anacafé reporting multi-million-quintal green coffee exports by coffee year. Roasted coffee exports (which include ground coffee under HS 090121) exist but are much smaller; WITS/UN Comtrade reports roasted coffee exports in 2023.
What is the single biggest regulatory risk for exporting Guatemalan ground coffee to the EU in the near term?The EU Deforestation Regulation covers coffee and requires due diligence, including traceability and plot geolocation, with application dates beginning 30 December 2026 for large/medium operators. If supply-chain documentation is not ready, EU market access can be disrupted.
Are there labor-related social risks in Guatemalan coffee supply chains?Yes. The U.S. Department of Labor’s ILAB List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor includes coffee from Guatemala, so many international buyers expect stronger child-labor risk controls and evidence of responsible sourcing.