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This report should be read in conjunction with the EU-27 Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards (FAIRS) report written by the U.S. Mission to the EU. This report focuses on the import regulations and standards that are not harmonized at the EU-level or where Belgium varies.

This report contains the list of all the mandatory export certificates required by the Government of Guatemala for agricultural imports.

Guatemala adopted the Central American Regional Technical Regulation RTCA 67.01.31:20, which updates the food product registration process. The regulation entered into effect on August 5, 2024, superseding previous regulation RTCA 67.031:07.

Guatemala ranked as the #16 largest U.S. agricultural export market despite a nine percent decline, mainly due to lower imports of bulk commodities in 2023, reaching $1.6 million. It's crucial to remember that Guatemala, relying on foreign exchange by international trade, remittances, and tourism, is the largest economy in Central America, with an estimated gross domestic product (GDP) of $102.8 billion, a 19-million-person market, and relative economic stability.

U.S. exports of agricultural products to Guatemala in 2022 increased 11.2 percent from 2021, reaching $1.8 billion. The Guatemalan economy relies on foreign exchange generated by international trade, remittances, and the tourism sector.

On July 14, 2023, Guatemala notified G/SPS/N/GTM/75, corresponding to the Regional Technical Regulation (RTCA) 67.04.79:23, providing specifications for yogurt.

This report contains the list of all the mandatory export certificates required by the Government of Guatemala for agricultural imports.

This report should be read in conjunction with the EU-27 Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards (FAIRS) report written by the U.S. Mission to the EU. This report focuses on the import regulations and standards that are not harmonized at the EU-level or where Belgium varies.

Belgium is a Member State of the European Union (EU) and applies the certification requirements described in the European Union Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards (FAIRS) Certification Report. Products not yet harmonized are subject to Belgian national rules.

The Guatemalan economy relies on foreign exchange generated by remittances, international trade, and the tourism sector. Guatemala represents a growing market for U.S. companies and is a country with relative economic stability. U.S. exports of agricultural products to Guatemala in 2021 increased 28 percent from year 2020, reaching $1.6 billion.

In June 2022 the Government of Guatemala confirmed that poultry products exported to Guatemala no longer need the USDA export mark on every box, and instead USDA can apply the mark on every consignment, pallet, or transportation unit. This has resulted in more efficient export clearance times with reduced labor, dock space and loading time which ultimately translates into better poultry prices for consumers.

The Ministry of Health issued three updates this year: a) Presidential Decree 53-2022 establishes new fees for services as of March 1, 2022 b) Technical Norm 001-2022 provides regulations for food supplements, and c) Communication dated June 1, 2022 establishes guidance for sampling processed food products in Guatemala as part of the routine surveillance.