Economic openness and rural communities in Guatemala

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe some effects of the economic policies implemented by the Guatemalan government on rural communities. Design/methodology/approach – A comparison of the trends in corn prices over time between Guatemala and the USA was used to determine which year the impact of economic openness policies began. Then, changes in the area harvested of corn and other agricultural products and diet composition and consumption patterns over this time period were used to assess effects on rural communities. Findings – The trend in Guatemala's corn price and the trend in the US's corn price are similar in the period from 1988 to 2005. There has been a reduction of in the area of corn harvested and an increase in the area harvested of other agricultural products for 1980‐2005. Also, it appears that there has been a change in the food energy consumption, food proteins source and caloric intake Guatemalans. Research limitations/implications – Field interviews are needed to examine in detail the specific adaptations communities have had. Practical implications – Economic opening policies can have an effect on cultural elements, such as corn production and the diet. Originality/value – This paper suggests that the economic openness policies started to show their effects at the end of 1980 affecting agricultural production and the diet of Guatemalans.