Cheese and curd market in El Salvador

Earlier Report Observations

The cheese and curd market in El Salvador expanded from 39 389 t in 2018 to 53 557 t in 2023, with market value rising from $119.0 million to $198.1 million over the same period. This growth was primarily driven by increasing imports, particularly from Nicaragua which supplied 90% of its dairy exports to El Salvador, offsetting a decline in domestic production that fell sharply in 2019 and remained below 2018 levels.

Border customs delays at El Amatillo from September 2021 disrupted imports of Nicaraguan cheese, affecting supply and leading Nicaragua to seek alternative export markets. Despite this, Salvadoran imports continued to grow. In 2022, cheese prices surged by 50% due to higher production costs for fertilizers, agricultural inputs, and fuel, which reduced local milk output and prompted farmers to sell cattle. The government responded with a national price verification plan to curb speculation and protect consumers, stabilizing prices for domestic cheeses.

Local cheese production dropped to 2 450 t in 2019 from 4 966 t the previous year, recovering only partially in subsequent years. Imports, however, steadily increased from 38 848 t in 2018 to 56 651 t in 2023, ensuring market supply and supporting overall market volume growth even as domestic output fluctuated.

Production cheese and curd in El Salvador

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2018-2021

World map of production of cheese and curd, 2018-2021

In 2021, El Salvador produced 1,780 tons of cheese and curd, marking a significant decline of 37.1% compared to 2020. Production has been on a downward trend since 2018, falling by 64.2% over the four-year period, which translates to an average annual decrease of 29.0%. The sharpest drop occurred in 2019, with a 50.7% reduction, while 2020 saw a modest rebound with a 15.5% increase.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2021, the value of cheese and curd production in El Salvador reached $8.818 million US, down by 38.4% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production value declined by 65.6%, averaging a 29.9% annual decrease. The most substantial decline was in 2019 at 50.9%, followed by a partial recovery in 2020 with a 13.8% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in El Salvador in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Exports cheese and curd from El Salvador

Exports in kind, t

Cheese and curd exports from El Salvador have grown for the third year in a row. In 2021, shipments totaled 6,949 tons, showing a robust increase of 14.4% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports expanded by 57%, with a compound annual growth rate of 16.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Guatemala remained the primary destination for El Salvador's cheese and curd exports in volume terms, accounting for 73.0% of total shipments. The remaining volume was distributed among various other markets.

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

Cheese and curd exports from El Salvador have continued to rise for the third consecutive year. In 2021, export value stood at $34.4 million US, reflecting a strong gain of 12.1% over 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, export value increased by 50.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.7%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Guatemala was the central partner for El Salvador's cheese and curd exports in value terms, holding a 70.5% share of total flows. Other markets contributed smaller portions to the export structure.

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 cheese and curd to El Salvador

Imports in kind, t

Cheese and curd imports into El Salvador have increased for the third straight year. In 2021, import volume reached 54,398 tons, up by 9.5% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 40%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Nicaragua was the dominant source for El Salvador's cheese and curd imports in volume terms, representing 82.0% of total inflows. The rest was spread across other markets.

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

In 2021, El Salvador imported $164.8 million US worth of cheese and curd, an increase of 11.8% from the year before. Between 2018 and 2021, import value rose by 41.8%, averaging an annual growth rate of 12.4%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 31.5%, while 2020 saw a slight decline of 3.5%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Nicaragua dominated El Salvador's cheese and curd import structure in value terms, with a 78.6% share of total flows. Other markets had relatively minor shares in comparison.

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

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