Citrus fruit market in El Salvador

Earlier Report Observations

Citrus fruit production in El Salvador increased from 178.6 thousand tons in 2018 to 190.4 thousand tons in 2020, while the total market volume grew from 193.6 thousand tons to 218.2 thousand tons over the same period. Imports rose significantly, contributing to the expansion of market supply.

Production continued its upward trend, reaching 199.0 thousand tons in 2021, a year characterized by wholesale price monitoring for fruits and stable availability of imported Valencia oranges from Honduras. In 2022, government-led initiatives were pivotal: the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock promoted national fruit production through agricultural support packages and financing, while the state-owned AGROCENTA sold fertilizers at preferential prices. These measures helped drive production to 219.2 thousand tons, with market volume reaching 248.9 thousand tons.

In 2023, social protests in Guatemala during October disrupted supplies of Guatemalan fruits to Salvadoran markets, increasing prices and boosting demand for local citrus. This external factor supported a further rise in domestic production to 233.9 thousand tons, while citrus imports fell to 23.9 thousand tons. The government maintained constant price surveillance in wholesale markets to ensure stable supply and protect consumers.

Production citrus fruit in El Salvador

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2018-2021

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2018-2021

El Salvador's citrus fruit production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 198 987 tons of citrus fruit, which is 4.5% higher than in 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, production grew by 11.4%, representing an annualized growth rate of 3.7%.

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

Exports citrus fruit from El Salvador

Exports in kind, t

El Salvador's citrus fruit exports have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country exported 609 tons of citrus fruit, down by 12.7% from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 67.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -31.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Costa Rica and Guatemala were the key partner countries for exports in kind, together accounting for 80.9% of total flows, while other partners made up the remainder.

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

Citrus fruit exports from El Salvador have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country exported 639 thousand US dollars worth of citrus fruit, marking a 19.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports fell by 19.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 009 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 21.4%, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 27.1%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Costa Rica remained the main market for exports in value terms, holding a share of 84.3% of total flows, with the rest distributed among numerous other destinations.

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 citrus fruit to El Salvador

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year increase, citrus fruit imports into El Salvador declined. In 2021, the country imported approximately 27 610 tons of citrus fruit, reflecting a 3.3% year-over-year decrease. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 63.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 17.7%. The peak volume was recorded in 2020 at 28 560 tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 33.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Honduras was the dominant supplier of citrus fruit to El Salvador, accounting for 87.8% of total imports in kind, with other countries sharing the remaining volume.

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

Imported citrus fruit volumes in El Salvador have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country imported 4 070 thousand US dollars worth of citrus fruit, up by 23.9% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports surged by 123.7%, representing an annualized growth rate of 30.8%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, three principal markets—Honduras, Peru, and the United States—together accounted for 74.9% of total imports in value terms of citrus fruit to El Salvador.

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

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