Cashew nuts market in El Salvador

Earlier Report Observations

The cashew nut market in El Salvador experienced substantial growth from 2018 to 2023, with its volume more than doubling from 687 tons to 1 452 tons. This expansion was driven by a consistent increase in domestic production, which rose from 783 tons to 1 350 tons over the period, and was punctuated by two major surges. The market leaped by 49% in 2019 to 1 023 tons and again by 34% in 2022 to 1 387 tons.

In 2018, the broader agricultural sector was navigating new trade agreements and competitiveness challenges on international markets. A significant development occurred in 2022 when the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock enforced sanitary controls at the country's borders to protect local production. This policy shift contributed directly to the cessation of cashew nut exports, retaining more supply domestically and supporting the simultaneous 24% jump in production that year.

Following a minor contraction in 2020, the market stabilized around 1 000 tons in 2021 before its robust growth in 2022. The upward trend continued in 2023, with the market reaching 1 452 tons, supported by sustained production levels and increasing import volumes.

Production cashew nuts in El Salvador

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, El Salvador ranked as the 30th largest producer of cashew nuts globally.

Top producers of cashew nuts, 2018-2021

World map of production of cashew nuts, 2018-2021

In 2021, El Salvador produced 1 056 tonnes of cashew nuts, showing only minor fluctuations compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 34.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 1 056 tonnes, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019 at 19.0%.

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

Exports cashew nuts from El Salvador

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed significant volatility during this period. They reached their peak in 2018 and fell to their lowest point in 2019, representing an 11.1-fold difference. In 2021, El Salvador exported 69.3 tonnes of cashew nuts, marking a sharp 26.1% decrease compared to the previous year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 10.3 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 91.0%. The most substantial increase occurred in 2020, when exports surged by 811.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, India and Guatemala were the primary destinations for El Salvador's cashew nut exports in volume terms, together accounting for 80.5% of total shipments. Other trading partners individually represented much smaller shares.

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

Export values experienced notable fluctuations throughout the period. They peaked in 2018 and hit their lowest point in 2020, with a 3.9-fold variation between these years. In 2021, El Salvador's cashew nut exports were valued at 149.0 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 32.9% increase from 2020. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 112.1 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 70.5%.

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

During 2018-2021, France, India, and the United States were the main markets for El Salvador's cashew nut exports in value terms, accounting for 39.6%, 31.1%, and 21.6% of total export value respectively. Together, these three countries represented 92.2% of all export flows.

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 cashew nuts to El Salvador

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes displayed an unstable pattern over the observed timeframe. They peaked in 2019 and dropped to their lowest level in 2018, showing a 5.6-fold difference. In 2021, El Salvador imported approximately 47.3 tonnes of cashew nuts, representing a dramatic 52.0% increase from the previous year. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 101.8 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2020 at 69.4%. The most significant increase took place in 2019, when imports jumped by 461.8%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Nicaragua and Honduras dominated El Salvador's cashew nut imports in volume terms, together accounting for 84.0% of total imports. Other countries individually represented much smaller shares.

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

Import values showed considerable volatility during this period. They reached their highest point in 2019 and their lowest in 2020, with a 2.7-fold gap between these years. In 2021, El Salvador's cashew nut imports were valued at 241.1 thousand US dollars, indicating a steep 59.7% increase from 2020. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 150.9 thousand US dollars, while the maximum occurred in 2019 at 404.7 thousand US dollars. The largest decline took place in 2020 at 62.7%, and the most substantial increase happened in 2019 at 84.7%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Honduras clearly dominated El Salvador's cashew nut imports in value terms, accounting for 71.5% of total import value. Other countries each held significantly smaller individual shares.

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

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