According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), because the harvest of white corn has ended, the grain is trading at $15 per quintal, while black beans are $48 per quintal.

According to the explanation of Patricia Lopez, a farmer in Coban, Alta Verapaz, "for the moment supply is being maintained in the markets."

"43% of producers are not selling their grain this month to feed their families, 17% will sell in the community and 19% will give it to intermediaries", reported Prensalibre.com.

Source: prensalibre.com

More on this topic

Corn: Price up 10%

June 2019

The quintal of white corn has become 10% more expensive in the last two weeks in Guatemala, a rise that is explained by the decrease in supply that derives from last year's low harvests.

The Price Report of the Planning Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (Maga) states that between June 6 and 19, the price of a quintal of white corn went from $19.35 to $20.45.

Grain Prices Rise in Guatemala

March 2012

In the past three months, the price per quintal of white corn has risen by 3.5% and black beans by 2.6%, reaching $17.38 and $60.75 respectively.

"The highest grain price was reported in the eastern and western regions at Q150 ($19.31) per quintal, in southern and central areas it has risen from Q120 ($15.44) and Q125 ($16.09) to Q130 ($16.73), and in the north from Q100 ($12.87) to Q115 ($14.80)," reads an article on Prensalibre.com.

Guatemala: Beans reach Record Prices

March 2011

Black bean prices have increased 11% since January, reaching $ 67.6 per quintal, the highest price over the last five years.

Compared with February 2008, the price increase is 83%.

"The main factor pushing the price upward is the shortage of local inventories in many regions since December 2010," reported Diario de Centro America.

Central American emergency plan

April 2008

The Central American countries have defined strategies to confront the rise in prices and possible scarcity of food. In effect it's an emergency plan that will require an investment of about 560 million dollars. The plan and be concentrated on four products: rice, beans, corn and sorghum.

The Central American plan, aimed at encouraging production of basic grains, includes the creation of a regional network for seed production, joint importation of agriculture inputs, an increase in areas under cultivation, improvements in productivity, and financing for producers.