Dried shelled beans market in El Salvador

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of the dried shelled bean market in El Salvador increased from 118 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 136.2 thousand tonnes in 2023, though with notable fluctuations. The initial growth in 2019 was followed by a stabilization in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic prompted consumer price regulations on red silk beans to control wholesale and retail increases. This measure coincided with a sharp rise in imports to 45 thousand tonnes, offsetting a drop in domestic production and maintaining market supply.

After a production recovery in 2021, bean output fell again in 2022 as storms damaged over 1,390 manzanas of crops, contributing to local shortages and price speculation that pushed retail prices above $1.25 per pound. In response, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock distributed improved seed and foliar fertilizer packages to more than 4,200 families in San Salvador to boost national production, though the immediate impact was limited by weather-related losses.

Structural challenges have kept domestic production costly—$14 per quintal higher than in Nicaragua—sustaining a reliance on imports, which accounted for over 90% of supply from Nicaragua, the U.S., and Ethiopia. Stable consumer demand and global factors like the Russia-Ukraine war continued to pressure input costs, while government seed‑improvement projects aimed at drought‑resistant varieties sought to gradually reduce the production deficit.

Production dried shelled beans in El Salvador

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of dried shelled beans, 2018-2021

World map of production of dried shelled beans, 2018-2021

El Salvador produced 104.7 K t of dried shelled beans in 2021, marking a solid year-over-year increase of 22.3%. Production reached its lowest point in 2020 at 85.6 K t, which represented a significant decline of 14.8% from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 12.6%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 4.0%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

El Salvador's dried shelled beans production increased in value for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 155.1 M $ US, reflecting a solid improvement of 15.6% compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production value rose by 25%, which corresponds to an annualized growth rate of 7.7%.

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

Exports dried shelled beans from El Salvador

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, El Salvador's exports of dried shelled beans declined in volume. In 2021, the country exported 663 t, representing a dramatic decrease of 25.5% from 2020. Exports peaked in 2020 at 890 t, following a notable increase of 10.1% in 2019. Overall, from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 10.9%, equating to an annualized decline of 3.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, El Salvador's exports of dried shelled beans were highly concentrated, with the United States accounting for 90.8% of total export volumes.

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

After two years of growth, El Salvador's dried shelled beans exports declined in value. In 2021, exports stood at 983 K $ US, which is 29.6% lower than in 2020. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 1 395 K $ US, following a substantial increase of 27.7% that year.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United States dominated El Salvador's dried shelled beans exports in value terms, holding a 92.2% share 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 dried shelled beans to El Salvador

Imports in kind, t

After two years of gains, El Salvador's imports of dried shelled beans declined in volume. In 2021, the country imported 44 989 t, down by 42.1% from 2020. Imports reached their highest level in 2020 at 44 989 t, following a sharp increase of 62.7% that year.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Nicaragua was the dominant source for El Salvador's dried shelled beans imports, consistently accounting for 71.6% of total import volumes, while 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, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.1-fold difference between these years. In 2021, El Salvador's imports of dried shelled beans amounted to 27 189 K $ US, corresponding to a sharp decline of 45.6% from 2020. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 49 942 K $ US, following a significant increase of 94.1% that year.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Nicaragua consistently accounted for 77.8% of El Salvador's dried shelled beans imports in value terms, indicating a high concentration on this market, with the rest shared among other countries.

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

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