Berlin Coffee Farm.
SANTA TECLA, El Salvador — El Salvador’s coffee exports jumped sharply through September 2025, reaching $157.3 million in sales—a 28.5% increase over the same period last year, according to the Central Reserve Bank (BCR).
The increase marks one of the strongest performances for Salvadoran coffee in recent years, underscoring the coffee beans’ enduring importance to the national economy and their growing international demand.
BCR data show that coffee shipments rose from $122.4 million in 2024 to $157.3 million this year, adding $35 million in export earnings.
El Salvador exported a total of 532,600 quintals of coffee at an average price of $295.30 per quintal. The United States and Belgium remained the top destinations, with purchases worth $72.3 million and $20.3 million, respectively.
Germany and Canada followed with $8 million each, while Italy imported $7.1 million, Japan $6.5 million, Saudi Arabia $5.9 million, the United Kingdom $5.4 million, Australia $4.8 million, and South Korea $3.1 million.
The report also notes a substantial rise in regional trade. Coffee exports to Central America soared from $7 million between January and September 2024 to $115 million during the same period this year.
Overall, coffee represented 3.1% of El Salvador’s total international trade through the third quarter of 2025, according to BCR statistics.
The International Coffee Organization (ICO) reported a 25.4% year-over-year increase in global coffee prices in September, driven by rising demand and tight green-bean supply.
Analysts say El Salvador’s gains reflect both favorable market conditions and government efforts to diversify export destinations.
Partnerships with international roasters have become crucial for expanding market access.
Among these, Canadian roaster Fantôme Café has begun working with 20 small producers in Juayúa, Sonsonate, offering fixed prices and long-term purchasing commitments.
The company has exported more than 200 sacks of Salvadoran coffee this year. It plans to double shipments to Canada in 2026, sending one full container under its own label and another for distribution to other roasters.
With both strong prices and expanding export networks, El Salvador’s coffee industry appears poised for continued growth heading into 2026.
