Acajutla Port El Salvador. The Central Reserve Bank (BCR) reported that Salvadoran exports have increased by 5.4% in 2025, despite global economic uncertainty stemming from the U.S. trade war with its trading partners.
In the first five months of 2025, Salvadoran companies exported goods worth $2.84 billion, representing a $145.1 million increase from the $2.70 billion reported during the same period last year.
In May 2025, El Salvador exported $606.1 million—a 6.8% increase, or $39.3 million more than the same month last year.
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | % Change 2024-2025 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 515.6 | 578.9 | 522.6 | 531.1 | 545.7 | 14.6 (2.8%) |
| February | 504.9 | 576.6 | 582.9 | 506.7 | 551.4 | 44.7 (8.8%) |
| March | 558.3 | 720.3 | 683.7 | 507.2 | 584.3 | 77.1 (15.2%) |
| April | 512.5 | 566.8 | 471.5 | 586.4 | 556.8 | -29.6 (-5.0%) |
| May | 532.5 | 638.5 | 589.7 | 567.8 | 606.1 | 38.3 (6.8%) |
| June | 539.0 | 625.9 | 588.9 | 510.3 | ||
| July | 582.3 | 678.4 | 568.7 | 574.5 | ||
| August | 498.7 | 576.0 | 539.6 | 535.6 | ||
| September | 550.4 | 584.6 | 502.4 | 540.8 | ||
| October | 552.2 | 560.7 | 495.8 | 582.3 | ||
| November | 538.2 | 530.6 | 503.2 | 555.5 | ||
| December | 510.3 | 477.9 | 449.1 | 449.6 | ||
| Total | 6394.9 | 7115.1 | 6498.1 | 6447.5 | 2344.2 | 5.4% *YTD |
As of May 2025, the manufacturing sector has grown by $190.0 million compared to the same period in 2024. However, maquila manufacturing exports have declined by $65.4 million.
Exports from the agriculture, livestock, forestry, and fishing sectors have also grown, with $33.6 million more in exports this year compared to 2024.
Lastly, coffee exports, a well-known product of El Salvador, have increased in 2025, with the country exporting $32.1 million more than in the same period the previous year.
SEE ALSO: Salvadoran Central Reserve Bank (BCR) Economic Growth Projection
Exports Destinations
The United States remains the primary destination for Salvadoran exports. This year, Salvadoran products worth $871.7 million have been shipped to the United States, accounting for 30.6% of the country’s total exports.
However, this figure represents a decline of $69 million, or 7.3%, compared to the first five months of 2024.
Guatemala is the second-largest destination for Salvadoran products, with exports totaling $606.0 million this year, accounting for 21.3% of total exports. Compared to 2024, exports to Guatemala have increased by $94.4 million, representing a 18.5% rise.
| Country | Exports (Millions) | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 871.7 | 30.6% |
| 2 | Guatemala | 606.0 | 21.3% |
| 3 | Honduras | 473.3 | 16.6% |
| 4 | Nicaragua | 257.0 | 9.0% |
| 5 | Costa Rica | 129.5 | 4.6% |
| 6 | Panama | 51.0 | 1.8% |
| 7 | Dominican Republic | 48.9 | 1.7% |
| 8 | Mexico | 47.8 | 1.7% |
| 9 | Colombia | 42.6 | 1.5% |
| 8 | Republic of China | 40.6 | 1.4% |
Central America is the leading destination region for Salvadoran exports. In 2025, the country has exported $1.52 billion to other Central American nations, making up 53.3% of total exports.
In the first five months of 2025, the country exported $196.0 million more in products to Central American nations compared to the same period last year—a 14.8% increase.
SEE ALSO: El Salvador’s Challenges and Concerns: What Concerns Salvadorans the Most?
El Salvador’s Exports: Imports and Trade Deficit
So far this year, El Salvador has imported $7.26 billion in goods, resulting in a trade deficit of $4.42 billion.
The United States remains El Salvador’s top import source, accounting for $1.87 billion (25.8%), followed by China with $1.50 billion (20.7%) and Guatemala with $688.9 million (9.5%).
El Salvador faces a massive trade deficit, highlighting the need for greater export growth and trade balance improvements.
