Pandemic increases international demand for Guatemalan roasted coffee

By Mayora IP

Guatemalan coffee producers and exporters are taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to promote the country’s roasted and packaged coffee abroad.

According to data from the Specialty Coffees commission of the Guatemalan Exporters’ Association (AGEXPORT), during 2020 demand for Guatemalan coffee has increased up to 70% in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Panama, Canada and the United States, compared to the period January-June 2019.

Although consumption decreased in the absence of attention in retail stores, cafes, specialty shops, restaurants and other tourism-related activities, Internet sales and commercial coffee in supermarket chains have been on the rise in these countries, part of a global market behavior in which consumers are changing their purchases by migrating from traditional establishments to Internet and supermarkets.

Following three months of declines, prices for all coffee groups rose worldwide by 4.7% to 103.66 US cents/lb in July 2020. The daily composite indicator reached a low of 98.59 US cents/lb on 10 July before climbing to 114.25 US cents/lb on the last day of the month.