Acajutla Port El Salvador. The Central Reserve Bank (BCR) reported that Salvadoran exports grew 8.8% in the first quarter of 2025 despite the global economy’s uncertainty due to the U.S. trade war launched against its trading partners.
In the first quarter of 2025, Salvadoran companies exported goods worth $1,681.3 million, which is $136.4 million more than the $1,545.0 million reported during the same period last year.
In March 2025 alone, El Salvador exported $584.3 million—a 15.2% increase, or $77.1 million more than the same month last year, highlighting strong year-over-year export growth.
| 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 | ||
| May | 532.5 | 638.5 | 589.7 | 567.8 | ||
| 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 | 1681.3 | 8.8% *YTD |
As of March 2025, the manufacturing sector has grown by $165.8 million compared to the same period in 2024. However, maquila manufacturing exports have declined by $42.3 million.
Exports from the agriculture, livestock, forestry, and fishing sectors have also grown, with $22.2 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 $22.6 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 continues to be the primary destination for Salvadoran exports. This year, Salvadoran products worth $522.5 million have been shipped to the United States, accounting for 31.1% of the country’s total exports.
However, this figure represents a decline of $26.9 million, or 4.9%, compared to the first three months of 2024.
Guatemala is the second-largest destination for Salvadoran products, with exports totaling $358.0 million this year, accounting for 21.3% of total exports. Compared to 2024, exports to Guatemala have increased by $69.9 million, or 24.3%.
| Country | Exports (Millions) | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 522.5 | 31.1% |
| 2 | Guatemala | 358.0 | 21.3% |
| 3 | Honduras | 282.8 | 16.8% |
| 4 | Nicaragua | 152.8 | 9.1% |
| 5 | Costa Rica | 78.6 | 4.7% |
| 6 | Panama | 31.3 | 1.9% |
| 7 | Dominican Republic | 29.2 | 1.7% |
| 8 | Mexico | 28.5 | 1.7% |
| 9 | Colombia | 26.5 | 1.6% |
| 8 | China | 21.1 | 1.3% |
Central America is the leading destination region for Salvadoran exports. In 2025, the country has exported $903.5 million to other Central American nations, making up 53.7% of total exports.
In the first three months of 2025, the country exported $148.8 million more in products to Central American nations compared to the same period last year—a 19.7% 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 $4,241.0 million in goods, resulting in a trade deficit of $2,559.7 million.
The United States remains El Salvador’s top import source, accounting for $1,109.2 million (26.2%), followed by China with $883.1 million (20.8%) and Guatemala with $405.5 million (9.6%).
El Salvador faces a massive trade deficit, highlighting the need for greater export growth and trade balance improvements.
