Frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize market in El Salvador

Earlier Report Observations

The frozen vegetable market in El Salvador contracted sharply from 3 198 t in 2018 to 1 696 t in 2019. It then recovered to 2 396 t in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic boosted regional demand for frozen food products, including vegetables.

Market volume continued to expand, reaching 3 158 t in 2021 after the government eliminated import tariffs on essential goods, facilitating higher imports. Growth persisted in 2022, with the market rising to 3 616 t, supported by a temporary removal of import taxes on 20 products from March 2022. However, in 2023, the market dipped slightly to 3 499 t, affected by ongoing road blockades in Guatemala that disrupted vegetable supplies and by persistently low domestic production.

Production frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize in El Salvador

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize, 2018-2021

World map of production of frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize, 2018-2021

Production of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, in El Salvador has increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 5 103 tonnes, showing a modest 4.4% gain compared to the previous year. However, looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, overall production decreased by 12.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 4 555 tonnes, which also saw the largest drop of 21.6%. In contrast, the biggest increase occurred in 2020, with a rise of 7.3%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

The value of frozen vegetable production, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, in El Salvador has risen for the second consecutive year. In 2021, output was valued at 11 966 thousand US dollars, up by 5.1% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production value increased by 11.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.7%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 8 425 thousand US dollars, marking the largest decline of 21.5%. The most significant increase happened in 2020, with a jump of 35.2%.

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

Exports frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize from El Salvador

Exports in kind, t

Exports of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, from El Salvador have declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports amounted to 2 488 tonnes, representing a sharp decrease of 14.6% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports fell by 15.2%, averaging an annual decline of 5.4%. The highest export volume was in 2019 at 3 206 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 9.2%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the export market for frozen vegetables in kind was highly concentrated, with the United States accounting for 99.6% of total flows, making the partner base extremely narrow.

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, the value of frozen vegetable exports, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, from El Salvador declined. In 2021, exports totaled 5 835 thousand US dollars, indicating a fall of 14.2% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value increased by 7.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2020 at 6 797 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 14.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the export structure in value terms was dominated by a single market: the United States, which held a 99.1% share of total 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 frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize to El Salvador

Imports in kind, t

Imports of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, into El Salvador have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 543 tonnes, showing a sharp rise of 27.6% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 66.2%, equating to an average annual increase of 18.5%.

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

During 2018-2021, Spain was the main source for frozen vegetable imports in kind to El Salvador, accounting for 81.2% of total imports, while other countries played a less significant role.

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 value of frozen vegetable imports, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, into El Salvador has risen for the third year in a row. In 2021, imports amounted to 562 thousand US dollars, up by 35.4% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value increased by 81.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 22.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain and the United States were the dominant sources for imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 90.2% of total flows, with the remainder coming from other markets.

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

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