Guatemala Begins E10 Blending Mandate, Opening New Market Opportunity For U.S. Ethanol

On August 22, Guatemala launched its E10 ethanol blending program in regular gasoline, marking a major milestone for the country's fuel market and ethanol development in Central America. The program moves Guatemala from years of regulatory, technical and commercial preparation to practical implementation.

The launch resulted from a multi-year collaboration among public and private sector stakeholders, with sustained support from the U.S. ethanol industry and the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC). The Guatemalan Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) led the implementation domestically in coordination with ethanol producers, fuel importers, terminal operators, distributors, service stations and other supply chain participants.

"Guatemala's E10 implementation is an important milestone for the country and for ethanol development across Central America," said Marri Tejada, USGBC regional director for Latin America.

"It reflects years of collaboration among government, industry and international partners to move from policy to commercial implementation. The program creates an important new opportunity for U.S. ethanol while supporting Guatemala's local energy and transportation industries."

The Council supported the transition process through technical expertise, stakeholder engagement, workshops, conferences, multiple trade missions and technical exchanges connecting Guatemalan government and industry representatives with the U.S. ethanol value chain. These efforts addressed policy and regulation, fuel quality, vehicle compatibility, infrastructure, storage and handling, blending, logistics and supply.

A major milestone in this engagement was the Cultivando Energía 2026 Regional Seminar, held in Guatemala in March, that brought together government and industry representatives and international experts from seven countries. U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke J. Lindberg and USGBC President and CEO Ryan LeGrand participated in the program, coinciding with high-level bilateral discussions with Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo on agricultural cooperation, U.S.-Guatemala trade and E10 implementation.

Ahead of the commercial launch, MEM established an operational phase from June 30 through August 21 to complete technical verifications and supply chain preparations. Storage and infrastructure conditions, blending and quality-control protocols and distribution logistics were addressed and ethanol inventories were positioned in preparation.

On August 22, terminals began dispatching E10 into the regular gasoline distribution system, with ethanol blended at the terminal level before delivery to service stations. The retail transition was gradual as stations depleted existing conventional gasoline inventories. By August 25, about 75 percent of Guatemala's service stations were dispensing E10. The initial rollout proceeded with a stable fuel supply and continued coordination across the value chain.

The program creates a significant new commercial opportunity for U.S. ethanol. The scale of Guatemala's gasoline market and its E10 requirement create substantial ethanol demand that can be supplied through domestic production and imports.

Under the United States-Guatemala Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), signed earlier this year, Guatemala committed to endeavor to purchase at least 50 million gallons of U.S. ethanol annually. Premium gasoline represents additional potential demand, subject to technical evaluations and a subsequent determination by the Guatemalan government.

"Guatemala's experience also provides an important example for other Central American countries considering ethanol blending. Its progression from policy and regulation to technical preparation, commercial supply and nationwide distribution offers practical lessons on infrastructure, terminal blending, fuel quality, vehicle compatibility, supply planning and stakeholder coordination," Tejada said.

Learn more about the Council's work in Guatemala on the organization's website.