Beef and buffalo meat market in El Salvador

Earlier Report Observations

The beef and buffalo meat market in El Salvador was characterized by a high dependence on imports, primarily from Nicaragua, due to tariff agreements that limited supplier diversification. Domestic production faced structural constraints like low technological adoption and high costs, keeping output around 18 thousand tons. This import-reliant structure set the stage for significant volume swings, with the total market reaching 54 thousand tons in 2019, a 29% increase from 42 thousand tons in 2018, largely driven by a surge in imports to 36 thousand tons. The market then contracted by 15% to 46 thousand tons in 2020.

Market volume recovered to 52 thousand tons in 2021, supported by increased demand for beef following production shocks in the pork and poultry sectors, which shifted consumer preferences. After a slight stabilization to 49 thousand tons in 2022, the market grew again to 51 thousand tons in 2023. This recent growth occurred despite a drop in domestic production to its lowest level since the year 2000, caused by prolonged droughts from the El Niño phenomenon and high input costs, making the market more dependent on imported meat to meet demand.

In 2024, the Superintendency of Competition initiated a study to assess production, import, and distribution conditions in the beef market, with preliminary data indicating over 60% of consumption is met by imports. Authorities are evaluating the entry of meat from Argentina, Colombia, and Paraguay to diversify supply and reduce reliance on Nicaragua. By 2025, persistent inflationary pressures on the basic food basket, including a 77% price increase for ground beef, are affecting consumption, driven by climatic factors, import dependency, and exchange rate volatility.

Production beef and buffalo meat in El Salvador

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2018-2021

World map of production of beef and buffalo meat, 2018-2021

El Salvador's beef and buffalo meat production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 19,631 tonnes, marking a moderate 4.9% increase from 2020. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 7.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.3%.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from El Salvador

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports hit their lowest point in 2020 at 5 tonnes and peaked in 2019 at 68 tonnes, with a 14.4-fold difference between these years. In 2021, El Salvador exported 18 tonnes of beef and buffalo meat, a sharp increase of 292.2% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2020, dropping by 93.1%, while the largest increase was in 2019, surging by 394.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from El Salvador in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Guatemala dominated El Salvador's beef and buffalo meat exports in volume, accounting for 74.9% of total flows. Other destinations played relatively minor roles during this period.

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, M $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations over the period. Exports bottomed in 2020 at $0.0 million and peaked in 2019 at $0.4 million, differing by a factor of 16. In 2021, El Salvador's beef and buffalo meat export value was recorded at $0.1 million, which is 166.6% higher than the previous year. The largest decline was in 2020, falling by 93.6%, while the largest increase was in 2019, jumping by 523.3%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Guatemala consistently represented 80.8% of El Salvador's total beef and buffalo meat exports in value terms, indicating a high concentration on this market. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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 beef and buffalo meat to El Salvador

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, El Salvador imported 31,968 tonnes of beef and buffalo meat, a 16.0% increase from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 34%, equating to an average annual rate of 10.3%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 35,876 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2020, dropping by 23.2%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 50.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to El Salvador in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Nicaragua remained the primary source for beef and buffalo meat imports to El Salvador in volume, taking 85.0% of total imports. The rest was spread across other countries.

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, M $ US

El Salvador imported $169.1 million worth of beef and buffalo meat in 2021, indicating a sharp rise of 30.3% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 48%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 14.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at $169.4 million. The largest decline was in 2020, falling by 23.4%, while the largest increase was in 2019, climbing by 48.3%.

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

Over the 2018–2021 period, Nicaragua was the dominant market for El Salvador's beef and buffalo meat imports in value terms, accounting for 84.0% of total flows. Other countries together made up the remaining share.

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

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