Chicken meat and offal market in El Salvador

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for chicken meat and offal in El Salvador grew from 156 thousand tons in 2018 to 182 thousand tons in 2023, despite a drop in 2020. This overall expansion was primarily driven by a sustained increase in per capita chicken consumption, which rose significantly in the years leading up to 2019, reflecting a lasting shift in consumer preferences.

A contraction to 142 thousand tons in 2020 coincided with the global COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted supply chains and economic activity. The market rebounded strongly to 168 thousand tons in 2021, supported by the underlying trend of rising consumer demand for poultry. Subsequent growth continued through 2023.

The market's structure, heavily reliant on domestic production, was shaped by import controls like the 1.1 million kilogram quota established in 2019 and a consistent framework of sanitary and technical regulations. These included mandatory poultry labeling rules and updated sanitary regulations for food establishments in 2022, which helped maintain consumer confidence in local products.

Production chicken meat and offal in El Salvador

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of chicken meat and offal, 2018-2021

World map of production of chicken meat and offal, 2018-2021

In 2021, El Salvador produced 155.4 thousand tons of chicken meat and offal, marking an 18.1% increase compared to 2020. Production reached its lowest point in 2020 at 131.5 thousand tons, which saw the largest decline of 10.4% that year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 8%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 2.6%.

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

Exports chicken meat and offal from El Salvador

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed significant volatility during these years. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 1 006 tons, with the largest decline of 23.6% recorded that year. By 2020, exports peaked at 1 783 tons, representing the largest increase of 77.3%. In 2021, El Salvador exported 1 420 tons of chicken meat and offal, a 20.3% decrease from 2020. Overall, exports varied by 1.8 times between the high in 2020 and the low in 2019.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Guatemala was the nearly exclusive buyer of chicken meat and offal from El Salvador, accounting for 94.2% of total exports in volume.

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

The export market in value terms exhibited volatility over the observed period. In 2019, the lowest value was recorded at 1 112 thousand US dollars, while in 2020, it peaked at 3 337 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 200.1% that year. In 2021, El Salvador exported 2 054 thousand US dollars of chicken meat and offal, a 38.5% decrease from the previous year. The peak-to-trough ratio between 2020 and 2019 was 3 times.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Guatemala was by far the main destination for exports in value terms of chicken meat and offal from El Salvador, making up 97.7% of total 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 chicken meat and offal to El Salvador

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, foreign supplies of chicken meat and offal to El Salvador increased. In 2020, imports reached their minimum at 12 113 tons, with the largest decline of 5.8% occurring in 2019. By 2021, imports rose to 14 371 tons, an 18.6% increase from the prior year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 9.9%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, the United States and Guatemala clearly dominated imports in volume of chicken meat and offal to El Salvador, jointly representing 84.9% of total flows, while other countries held 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

The import market in value terms was characterized by volatility. In 2020, the value dropped to a minimum of 15 998 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 12.3% recorded that year. By 2021, it climbed to its maximum, reflecting a steep rise of 71.9% over the past year. Overall, the value shifted by 1.7 times between the peak in 2021 and the trough in 2020.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United States was the primary source for imports in value terms, accounting for 71.8% of total flows, with other markets forming a long tail of smaller partners.

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

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