Cocoa beans market in El Salvador

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market volume for cocoa beans in El Salvador remained above 1 300 tons before declining to 1 245 tons in 2020. This period was marked by the launch of the Alianza Cacao program, which attracted over 2 000 producers—many of them coffee farmers diversifying due to low coffee prices—helping to sustain domestic production. The start of formal exports to international markets like France and the United States in 2019 created new demand channels for Salvadoran cocoa.

Market volume recovered to 1 344 tons in 2022 but fell again to 1 244 tons in 2023. During these years, infrastructure development, including the establishment of fermentation centers and irrigation systems supported by international cooperators, enhanced processing capacity. Exports to European markets continued, with Salvadoran cocoa recognized for its quality, incentivizing producers. However, fluctuations in import volumes contributed to the overall market shifts.

Institutional initiatives strengthened the sector throughout the period. The declaration of a National Cocoa Day in 2022 and the development of a processing plant with technical support from IILA bolstered the value chain. Programs to train national sensory panels and the reintroduction of cocoa production curricula at the National School of Agriculture focused on improving quality and professional expertise.

Production cocoa beans in El Salvador

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of cocoa beans, 2018-2021

World map of production of cocoa beans, 2018-2021

Cocoa beans production in El Salvador declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2020, production reached its peak at 374.5 tonnes, representing a 1.7% increase from the previous year. However, by 2021, output had fallen to 368.6 tonnes, marking a slight reduction of 1.6% compared to 2020.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

The value of cocoa beans production in El Salvador showed mixed trends between 2018 and 2021. In 2019, output reached its highest value at 2 127 thousand US dollars, but it dropped sharply by 17.2% in 2020 to 1 762 thousand US dollars. By 2021, production value had recovered to 1 991 thousand US dollars, representing a 13.0% increase from 2020. Overall, production value decreased by 5.7% over the four-year period, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%.

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

Exports cocoa beans from El Salvador

Exports in kind, t

Cocoa beans exports from El Salvador displayed significant volatility between 2018 and 2021. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at just 4 tonnes, representing a substantial 45.6% decline from the previous year. However, exports surged dramatically in 2020, increasing by 593.8% to reach 29 tonnes. By 2021, exports had moderated slightly to 28 tonnes, showing a 3.9% decrease from 2020. The difference between the peak in 2020 and the low in 2019 was 6.9-fold.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the Netherlands and the United States were clearly the dominant destinations for El Salvador's cocoa beans exports in volume terms, while other countries collectively accounted for the remaining share.

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 for cocoa beans from El Salvador showed considerable fluctuation during this period. In 2019, exports reached their lowest value at 24 thousand US dollars, marking a 46.0% decline from the previous year. However, exports rebounded strongly in 2020, increasing by 464.8%. By 2021, export value had peaked at 149 thousand US dollars, representing a 10.4% increase from 2020. The difference between the 2021 peak and the 2019 low was 6.2-fold.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands and the United States remained the primary destinations for El Salvador's cocoa beans exports in value terms, together accounting for 82.3% of total export flows. Other trading partners individually represented much smaller shares.

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 cocoa beans to El Salvador

Imports in kind, t

Cocoa beans imports to El Salvador increased in 2021 following two consecutive years of decline. In 2020, imports reached their lowest point at 899 tonnes, representing a 10.7% decrease from the previous year. By 2021, imports had risen to 985 tonnes, showing a 9.5% increase from 2020. Over the entire 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 2.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%.

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

Throughout the 2018-2021 period, Nicaragua dominated El Salvador's cocoa beans imports in volume terms, accounting for 89.5% of total import flows. Other source markets held comparatively modest 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

Cocoa beans import values to El Salvador rose in 2021 after two years of contraction. In 2020, import value reached its lowest point at 1 329 thousand US dollars, representing a 6.7% decline from the previous year. By 2021, import value had increased to 1 492 thousand US dollars, marking a robust 12.3% rise from 2020.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Nicaragua effectively dominated El Salvador's cocoa beans imports in value terms, accounting for 92.5% of total import flows.

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

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