Acajutla Port El Salvador. According to the Central Reserve Bank (BCR), El Salvador has exported $1,097.0 million in products so far in 2025, marking an increase of $59.3 million, or 5.7%, compared to the same period last year.
El Salvador exported $551.4 million in February alone—an 8.8% increase, or $44.7 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 | ||
| 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 | 1097.0 | 5.7% *YTD |
| Average | 532.9 | 592.9 | 541.5 | 537.3 | 548.5 |
As of February 2025, the overall manufacturing sector has grown by $87.3 million compared to the same period in 2024. However, maquila manufacturing exports have declined by $31.0 million.
Exports from the agriculture, livestock, forestry, and fishing sectors have also seen growth, with $7.2 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 $8.4 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 leading destination for Salvadoran exports. So far this year, the country has shipped $350.4 million worth of products to the United States, representing 31.9% of total exports.
Guatemala is the second-largest destination for Salvadoran products, with exports totaling $233.3 million this year, accounting for 21.3% of total exports.
| Country | Exports (Millions) | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 350.4 | 31.9% |
| 2 | Guatemala | 233.3 | 21.3% |
| 3 | Honduras | 185.3 | 16.9% |
| 4 | Nicaragua | 98.4 | 9.0% |
| 5 | Costa Rica | 52.4 | 4.8% |
| 6 | Panama | 20.5 | 1.9% |
| 7 | Dominican Republic | 19.8 | 1.8% |
| 8 | China | 19.6 | 1.8% |
| 9 | Mexico | 18.7 | 1.7% |
| 10 | Colombia | 15.3 | 1.4% |
Central America is the leading destination region for Salvadoran exports. In 2025, the country has exported $589.9 million to other Central American nations, making up 53.8% of total exports.
SEE ALSO: El Salvador’s Challenges and Concerns: What Concerns Salvadorans the Most?
Top Exporting Products
T-shirts and jerseys are El Salvador’s top exports this year, totaling $84.5 million and accounting for 7.7% of total exports.
Following are cane or beet sugar (including pure sucrose), amounting to $68.9 million, or 6.3% of total exports.
In third place, with $52.4 million in exports, or 4.8% of the total, are knitted sweaters, pullovers, cardigans, vests, and similar garments.
Imports and Trade Deficit
So far this year, El Salvador has imported $2,572.0 million in goods, resulting in a trade deficit of $1,475.0 million.
The United States remains El Salvador’s top import source, accounting for $740.2 million (28.8%), followed by China with $589.3 million (22.9%) and Guatemala with $252.7 million (9.8%).
El Salvador faces a massive trade deficit, highlighting the need for greater export growth and trade balance improvements.
