Honey market in El Salvador

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the domestic honey market in El Salvador grew from 846 t to 1 211 t, with a notable increase in 2019 as exports fell. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock provided technical assistance to maintain product quality and sanitary standards, supporting stable export volumes and helping to sustain domestic availability.

Government support continued into 2021 and 2022, with investments strengthening apiculture cooperatives and technical aid diversifying into honey-based products like eucalyptus honey and propolis. While production gradually declined, the domestic market volume rose slightly in 2022 as exports decreased, making more honey available locally.

In 2023, the domestic market expanded sharply to 1 558 t, a result of a substantial drop in exports to 342 t. This shift redirected a larger share of production to the local market, increasing internal consumption significantly.

Production honey in El Salvador

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of honey, 2018-2021

World map of production of honey, 2018-2021

Honey production in El Salvador declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, production remained virtually unchanged at 2,010 tonnes compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production decreased by 14.9%, which equates to an annualized decline of 5.2%.

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

Exports honey from El Salvador

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decrease, honey exports from El Salvador increased in 2021. Exports amounted to 970 tonnes, marking a robust 20.1% increase compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 36%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -13.8%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 808 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 45.4% drop.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main buyers of honey from El Salvador were Germany, accounting for 32.7% of exports in kind, Costa Rica with 29.7%, and Honduras at 13.0%. Together, these three countries comprised 75.5% of total honey exports in kind.

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 market for honey exports from El Salvador showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. Export volumes reached their peak in 2018 and dropped to their lowest point in 2020, representing a 2.3-fold difference. In 2021, exported honey volumes amounted to 3,386 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp year-over-year gain of 73.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 1,950 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 53.2% decrease.

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

In the period from 2018 to 2021, the main destinations for honey exports from El Salvador in value terms were Costa Rica, accounting for 32.3% of exports, Germany with 32.0%, and Honduras at 12.6%. Together, these three countries represented 76.9% 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 honey to El Salvador

Imports in kind, t

The honey import market in El Salvador showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports varied significantly, from a high in 2018 to a low in 2020, with a 98-fold difference. In 2021, honey deliveries to El Salvador reached 0.1 tonnes, up by 494.6% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 0.0 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 94.2% drop.

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

From 2018 to 2021, honey imports to El Salvador were almost exclusively supplied by the United States, which absorbed 94.8% of total imports in kind.

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 honey import market in El Salvador showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports hit their maximum in 2019, falling to the lowest point in 2020—a gap of 6.7 times. In 2021, the volume of honey imports amounted to 1 thousand US dollars, constituting a dramatic increase of 457.6% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 0.2 thousand US dollars, while the maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2020 with an 85.1% decrease.

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

Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports of honey to El Salvador in value terms were largely concentrated on the United States, which accounted for 73.4% of total flows; other countries together formed the residual share.

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

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