Cocoa butter market in El Salvador, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for cocoa butter in El Salvador experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023, beginning at 522.1 tons and peaking at 527.1 tons in 2019. A sharp drop to 469.2 tons occurred in 2020, followed by a recovery to 521.3 tons in 2021. Subsequent years saw a modest decline to 514.4 tons in 2022 and a more substantial contraction to 469.0 tons in 2023.

The market expansion in 2019 was supported by the inauguration of a cocoa processing plant, established with technical and financial backing from the Italo-Latin American International Organization, which enhanced domestic production capacity for cocoa butter and powder. In contrast, the notable decrease in 2023 was largely due to adverse weather, as Storm Julia delayed cocoa tree flowering, reducing output and contributing to the lower market volume.

Throughout this period, sector development initiatives such as the Alianza Cacao program, launched in 2018, sought to rejuvenate cultivation and access specialized markets. El Salvador's cocoa gained international acclaim for its fine aroma and quality, earning over 100 awards. Programs like 'Conectando a Centroamérica' aimed to strengthen small producers for export, while training improved quality standards, bolstering the sector's long-term prospects despite short-term volume volatility.

Production cocoa butter in El Salvador

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of cocoa butter, 2018-2021

World map of production of cocoa butter, 2018-2021

In 2019, El Salvador's cocoa butter production reached its peak at 514.2 tons. This was followed by a significant decline of 10.0% in 2020, when output dropped to 462.6 tons, marking the lowest point in the period. However, production rebounded in 2021, rising by 11.0% to 513.5 tons, nearly matching the 2019 high.

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

Exports cocoa butter from El Salvador

According to market assessments, El Salvador did not export any cocoa butter between 2018 and 2021.

Imports cocoa butter to El Salvador

Imports in kind, kg

In 2019, El Salvador's imports of cocoa butter peaked at 12 913 kg. The following year saw a sharp decline of 49.3%, with imports falling to 6 547 kg, the lowest level in the period. In 2021, imports recovered somewhat, increasing by 18.5% year-over-year to 7 755 kg. Overall, from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 30.1%, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -11.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to El Salvador in kind, 2018-2021, kg

From 2018 to 2021, Costa Rica and Ecuador were the dominant sources for El Salvador's cocoa butter imports in volume terms, together accounting for 98.4% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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, $ US

In 2019, the value of cocoa butter imports into El Salvador reached its highest point at $90 592 US. This was followed by a substantial drop of 44.5% in 2020, when imports fell to $50 234 US, the minimum value in the period. In 2021, imports saw a moderate increase of 7.6% to $54 076 US. Over the entire 2018-2021 span, import value declined by 34.3%, which translates to an annualized rate of -13.1%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Costa Rica and Ecuador overwhelmingly dominated the value of cocoa butter imports into El Salvador, jointly representing 97.2% of total flows. Other countries contributed only minor 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