Acajutla Port El Salvador.
The Central Reserve Bank (BCR) reported that Salvadoran exports have increased by 3.7% in 2025, despite global economic uncertainty.
Thus far this year, Salvadoran companies have exported goods worth $6.2 billion, representing a $219.3 million increase from the $6.0 billion reported during the same period last year.
In November 2025, El Salvador exported $524.7 million—a 5.5% decrease, or $30.7 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 | 606.1 | 38.3 (6.8%) |
| June | 539.0 | 625.9 | 588.9 | 510.3 | 574.1 | 63.8 (12.5%) |
| July | 582.3 | 678.4 | 568.7 | 574.5 | 641.7 | 67.3 (11.7%) |
| August | 498.7 | 576.0 | 539.6 | 535.6 | 540.9 | 5.3 (1.0%) |
| September | 550.4 | 584.6 | 502.4 | 540.8 | 536.7 | -4.1 (-0.8%) |
| October | 552.2 | 560.7 | 495.8 | 582.3 | 554.9 | -27.5 (-4.7%) |
| November | 538.2 | 530.6 | 503.2 | 555.5 | 524.7 | -30.7 (-5.5%) |
| December | 510.3 | 477.9 | 449.1 | 449.6 | ||
| Total Billions | 6.4 | 7.1 | 6.5 | 6.4 | 6.2 | 3.7% *YTD |
As of November 2025, exports from the manufacturing sector has grown by $264.2 million compared to the same period in 2024. However, maquila manufacturing exports have declined by $62.0 million.
Exports from the agriculture, livestock, forestry, and fishing sectors have also grown, with $28.2 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 $28.1 million more than in the same period the previous year.
Exports Destinations
The United States remains the primary destination for Salvadoran exports. This year, Salvadoran products worth $1.9 billion have been shipped to the United States, accounting for 31% of the country’s total exports.
However, this figure represents a decline of $71.9 million, or -3.6%, compared to the same eleven months of 2024.
Guatemala is the second-largest destination for Salvadoran products, with exports totaling $1.3 billion this year, accounting for 21% of total exports. Compared to 2024, exports to Guatemala have increased by $109.1 million, representing a 9.1% increment.
| Country | Exports (Millions) | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 1925.7 | 31.0% |
| 2 | Guatemala | 1307.0 | 21.0% |
| 3 | Honduras | 1039.5 | 16.7% |
| 4 | Nicaragua | 564.6 | 9.1% |
| 5 | Costa Rica | 281.9 | 4.5% |
Central America is the leading destination region for Salvadoran exports. In 2025, the country has exported $3.3 billion to other Central American nations, making up 53.2% of total exports.
Thus far in 2025, the country has exported $214.7 million more in products to Central American nations compared to the same period last year—a 6.9% increase.
El Salvador’s Exports: Imports and Trade Deficit
So far this year, El Salvador has imported $16.4 billion in goods, resulting in a trade deficit of $10.2 billion.
The United States remains El Salvador’s top import source, accounting for $4.2 billion (25.9%), followed by China with $3.4 billion (20.5%) and Guatemala with $1.5 billion (9.3%).
El Salvador faces a massive trade deficit, highlighting the need for greater export growth and trade balance improvements.
