Cocoa powder and cake market in El Salvador

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for cocoa powder and cake in El Salvador showed significant fluctuations. In 2018, the market reached 1 075 tonnes, with the country heavily reliant on cocoa bean imports, covering about 71% of its needs. Initiatives to expand cocoa cultivation areas, such as the Alianza Cacao project, began revitalizing the sector. In 2019, market volume fell to 955 tonnes, coinciding with increased involvement of entrepreneurs in organic and artisanal cocoa production, as well as strengthened local fine aroma cocoa output, which reduced dependence on imports. By 2020, the market recovered to 1 048 tonnes, while agroforestry projects aimed to enhance productivity and cocoa quality.

In 2021, the commissioning of a new processing plant, established with support from Italian agencies, enabled the production of a wider product range, including cocoa powder, and involved over 30 local producers. This boosted local processing and value addition, contributing to production growth, but market volume dropped to 915 tonnes due to decreased imports. In 2022, the market grew to 1 005 tonnes, alongside increased exports of Salvadoran cocoa to countries like France, Italy, and the USA, and the holding of the national quality contest Cacao de Excelencia to promote it in international markets. By 2023, market volume decreased to 965 tonnes.

Production cocoa powder and cake in El Salvador

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of cocoa powder and cake, 2018-2021

World map of production of cocoa powder and cake, 2018-2021

In 2019, El Salvador's production of cocoa powder and cake reached its highest level at 579.4 tons. However, in 2020, output fell to its lowest point of 521.3 tons, marking a 10.0% decline. By 2021, production rebounded to 578.6 tons, showing an 11.0% increase compared to the previous year.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2020, the value of cocoa powder and cake production in El Salvador hit its lowest point at 1 780 thousand US dollars, representing a 19.1% decrease. By 2021, production value rose to 2 204 thousand US dollars, a solid 23.8% increase year-over-year. From 2018 to 2021, overall production value grew by 8.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.7%.

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

Exports cocoa powder and cake from El Salvador

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed significant volatility during this period. In 2019, exports peaked at 10.1 tons, marking a 6.0% increase. However, by 2021, they dropped to their lowest level of 1.1 tons, a steep 76.8% decline year-over-year. The difference between the highest and lowest volumes was substantial, with 2019's peak being 9.3 times higher than 2021's trough.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Guatemala dominated El Salvador's cocoa powder and cake exports in volume terms, accounting for 70.4% of total shipments. Other destinations represented relatively minor shares during this period.

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 exhibited considerable market volatility. In 2019, they reached their highest point at 38 thousand US dollars, showing a 14.0% increase. By 2021, however, export value fell sharply to just 4 thousand US dollars, a steep 74.1% decrease compared to 2020. The peak in 2019 was 9.3 times higher than the trough in 2021.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Guatemala and Nicaragua together accounted for 90.1% of El Salvador's total cocoa powder and cake export value. The remaining exports were distributed across various other markets in smaller amounts.

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 powder and cake to El Salvador

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, imports of cocoa powder and cake to El Salvador reached their highest volume at 531.1 tons, representing a 37.9% increase. By 2021, imports declined to 337.1 tons, a 36.5% decrease year-over-year. From 2018 to 2021, overall import volume fell by 33.8%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 12.8%.

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

During the 2018-2021 period, China was the leading supplier of cocoa powder and cake to El Salvador in volume terms, accounting for 45.8% of imports. Ecuador followed with 19.7%, and Spain with 17.6%. Together, these three countries represented 83.1% of total import volumes.

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

In 2019, import value hit its lowest point at 830 thousand US dollars, marking a 25.1% decline. The following year, 2020, saw a rebound with a 31.7% increase. By 2021, import value stood at 950 thousand US dollars, representing a 13.0% decrease year-over-year. Overall, from 2018 to 2021, import value decreased by 14.2%, with an average annual decline of 5.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, three key markets—China, the United States, and Spain—collectively accounted for 74.7% of the total value of cocoa powder and cake imports 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