Alcoholic beer market in El Salvador

Earlier Report Observations

The alcoholic beer market in El Salvador grew from 123.2 million liters in 2018 to 155.7 million liters in 2021, with production increasing steadily and imports rising notably in 2019 following the introduction of the Law Regulating the Production and Commercialization of Alcohol and Alcoholic Beverages, which established sealed packaging standards for all alcoholic drinks on the market.

Market volume continued to expand, peaking at 161.7 million liters in 2022, but then contracted to 149.8 million liters in 2023. This decline coincided with the enactment in March 2023 of a new municipal ordinance in San Salvador that tightened regulations for businesses selling alcoholic beverages, potentially affecting availability and consumption.

In subsequent years, beer import volumes fluctuated, dipping in 2024 amid reported lower tax revenue from beer consumption, while 2025 saw tax reforms that reduced levies on distilled spirits but kept rates unchanged for beer, which may have influenced the composition of alcohol imports.

Production alcoholic beer in El Salvador

In kind, 2018-2021, M l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2018-2021

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2018-2021

In 2021, El Salvador produced 128.5 million liters of alcoholic beer, marking a 7.1% increase compared to 2020. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 8%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.6%. The most significant drop occurred in 2020, when production remained essentially unchanged.

Annual dynamics of production in El Salvador in kind, 2018-2021, M l

Exports alcoholic beer from El Salvador

Exports in kind, K l

Following two consecutive years of decline, alcoholic beer exports from El Salvador rebounded in 2021. The country exported 8 874 thousand liters that year, representing a substantial 48.3% increase from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, however, exports overall decreased by 53.6%, translating to an average annual decline of 22.6%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 5 984 thousand liters, which also saw the sharpest yearly drop of 44.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from El Salvador in kind, 2018-2021, K l

Between 2018 and 2021, Honduras and the United States accounted for the majority of El Salvador's alcoholic beer exports in volume terms, while other markets played a more limited role.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from El Salvador in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

After experiencing losses for two years, the value of alcoholic beer exports from El Salvador turned upward in 2021. Export earnings reached 4 715 thousand US dollars, a 35.9% improvement over 2020. Despite this recent gain, exports over the full 2018-2021 period fell by 25%, with an average annual decrease of 9.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 3 469 thousand US dollars, which also marked the steepest annual decline of 43.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from El Salvador in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 through 2021, Honduras and the United States dominated El Salvador's alcoholic beer exports in value, together capturing 91.1% of the total. The remaining share was spread across various other destinations, each contributing relatively small amounts.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from El Salvador in value, 2018-2021

Imports alcoholic beer to El Salvador

Imports in kind, K l

El Salvador's imports of alcoholic beer surged in 2021, totaling [value_last_year] thousand liters—a sharp 43.9% rise from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 span, imports increased by 54.9%, averaging 15.7% growth per year. The most notable contraction occurred in 2020, with a 17.7% decline.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to El Salvador in kind, 2018-2021, K l

During 2018-2021, Mexico, Guatemala, and the United States were the primary sources for El Salvador's alcoholic beer imports by volume. Mexico led with 40.4% of imports, followed by Guatemala at 21.3% and the United States at 14.1%. Together, these three markets accounted for 75.8% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to El Salvador in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of alcoholic beer imports into El Salvador jumped in 2021, reaching [value_last_year] thousand US dollars—a robust 69.8% increase from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, import value grew by 84%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 22.5%. The largest yearly decrease was in 2020, when imports fell by 24.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to El Salvador in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Mexico, the United States, and Guatemala were the key markets for El Salvador's alcoholic beer imports in value terms. Collectively, they represented 70.1% of total import spending.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to El Salvador in value, 2018-2021