Coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews market in El Salvador

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in El Salvador contracted sharply from 121.8 thousand tons in 2018 to 59.7 thousand tons in 2020, driven by a steep decline in domestic production.

A sustained recovery began in 2021, lifting the market to 87.3 thousand tons by 2023. This expansion was supported by a notable rise in imports, particularly of cashews in shell and Brazil nuts, which saw jumps exceeding 1,100% in some periods. External supply disruptions, including social protests in neighboring Guatemala, further stimulated import demand and contributed to the market's growth.

Production coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in El Salvador

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews, 2018-2021

World map of production of coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews, 2018-2021

After a two-year decline, production of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews in El Salvador increased in 2021. That year, the country produced 63.7 thousand tons, marking an 8.5% rise from 2020. However, looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 47%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 19.1%. The lowest point was in 2020, with 58.7 thousand tons, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2019, when production plunged by 40.0%.

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

Exports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews from El Salvador

Exports in kind, t

Exports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews from El Salvador grew for the second year in a row in 2021. The export volume reached 148 tons, up 12.3% from the previous year. Despite this recent growth, exports declined by 23% over the 2018-2021 period, averaging an 8.3% annual decrease. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 79 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 58.7%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the biggest increase, with exports surging by 66.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United States and India were the primary destinations for El Salvador's exports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews in volume terms. Together, these two countries accounted for most of the exports, while other markets played smaller individual roles.

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 for coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews from El Salvador showed volatility between 2018 and 2021. Exports peaked in 2018 and hit their lowest point in 2020, with a 2.9-fold difference between these years. In 2021, exports rebounded to 356.9 thousand US dollars, a 77.9% increase from 2020. The minimum value was 200.6 thousand US dollars in 2020, and the largest decline occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 53.6%.

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

During 2018-2021, the United States, France, and India were the top destinations for El Salvador's exports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews in value terms. The United States accounted for 44.3% of exports, France for 23.2%, and India for 18.2%. Combined, these three countries made up 85.7% of total export 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 coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews to El Salvador

Imports in kind, t

Imports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews into El Salvador fluctuated significantly from 2018 to 2021. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 4 270 tons, while the lowest was in 2020 at 1 130 tons, resulting in a 3.8-fold gap. In 2021, imports rose to 1 371 tons, a solid 21.3% increase year-over-year. The largest decline happened in 2020, with a 73.5% drop, whereas the biggest increase was in 2019, when imports jumped by 154.7%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Guatemala dominated El Salvador's imports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews in volume terms, receiving 90.9% of the total. This made Guatemala the overwhelmingly dominant market during this period.

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 2021, El Salvador's imports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews totaled 612.0 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp 43.3% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, however, imports decreased by 8.3%, with an average annual decline of 2.9%. The minimum value was 427.0 thousand US dollars in 2020, while the maximum was 821.1 thousand US dollars in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a 48.0% drop.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the Philippines, Honduras, and Guatemala were the leading sources for El Salvador's imports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews in value terms. The Philippines contributed 29.2% of imports, Honduras 28.7%, and Guatemala 13.9%. Together, these three countries accounted for 71.9% 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