Urban markets in Honduras and Guatemala: Dynamics, challenges, and opportunities for sustainable healthy diets

This study analyzes the dynamics of urban food markets in Honduras and Guatemala, with the objective of understanding their linkages with smallholder farmers and their role in the availability of and accessibility to nutritious foods. The analysis was based on 86 interviews with retailers, smallholder farmers, and local agents, such as representatives from government programs and non-governmental organizations involved in market regulation, technical assistance, and support to smallholders. The study assessed factors that determine prices, supply stability, postharvest losses, and consumer preferences. The results show that intermediary actors are the main mechanism supporting local value chains, which connect rural production with urban markets; this ensures continuous supply but limits the direct participation of smallholder farmers. Seasonality, high transport costs, and lack of cold storage infrastructure contribute to price instability and losses of up to 40 percent for some products. Consumers prioritize freshness and appearance over nutritional attributes or local origin. Based on these findings, the authors suggest strengthening short value chains, investing in postharvest infrastructure such as cold storage units to reduce food loss, and raising awareness about healthy diets to promote sustainability and nutrition among urban consumers. These actions would contribute to more inclusive urban markets and resilient value chains, aligned with the expected outcomes of Area of Work 2: Market Systems for Better Diets under CGIAR’s Better Diets and Nutrition (BDN) Science Program.