Acajutla Port El Salvador. The Central Reserve Bank (BCR) reported that Salvadoran exports increased by 5.0% in 2025, despite global economic uncertainty stemming from the U.S. trade war with its trading partners.
In the first four months of 2025, Salvadoran companies exported goods worth $2.24 billion, representing a $106.7 million increase from the $2.13 billion reported during the same period last year.
In April 2025, El Salvador exported $556.8 million—a 5.0% decrease, or $29.6 million less 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 | ||
| 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 | 2238.1 | 5.0% *YTD |
As of April 2025, the manufacturing sector has grown by $147.7 million compared to the same period in 2024. However, maquila manufacturing exports have declined by $59.5 million.
Exports from the agriculture, livestock, forestry, and fishing sectors have also grown, with $29.8 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 $29.2 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 $698.7 million have been shipped to the United States, accounting for 31.2% of the country’s total exports.
However, this figure represents a decline of $49 million, or 6.6%, compared to the first four months of 2024.
Guatemala is the second-largest destination for Salvadoran products, with exports totaling $476.4 million this year, accounting for 21.3% of total exports. Compared to 2024, exports to Guatemala have increased by $77.1 million, representing a 19.3% rise.
| Country | Exports (Millions) | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 698.7 | 31.2% |
| 2 | Guatemala | 476.4 | 21.3% |
| 3 | Honduras | 375.1 | 16.8% |
| 4 | Nicaragua | 201.0 | 9% |
| 5 | Costa Rica | 104.0 | 4.6% |
| 6 | Panama | 41.1 | 1.8% |
| 7 | Dominican Republic | 39.3 | 1.8% |
| 8 | Mexico | 36.3 | 1.6% |
| 9 | Colombia | 33.5 | 1.5% |
| 8 | Republic of China | 22.3 | 1.0% |
Central America is the leading destination region for Salvadoran exports. In 2025, the country has exported $1.20 billion to other Central American nations, making up 53.5% of total exports.
In the first four months of 2025, the country exported $160.4 million more in products to Central American nations compared to the same period last year—a 15.5% 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 $5.71 billion in goods, resulting in a trade deficit of $3.47 billion.
The United States remains El Salvador’s top import source, accounting for $1.50 billion (26.2%), followed by China with $1.21 billion (21.1%) and Guatemala with $536.5 million (9.4%).
El Salvador faces a massive trade deficit, highlighting the need for greater export growth and trade balance improvements.
