Household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets market in El Salvador

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for household and sanitary paper in El Salvador expanded from 80 854 t in 2018 to 110 817 t in 2023, with a notable surge in the final year. This growth was primarily fueled by a sharp decline in exports, which fell from 11 530 t to just 173 t over the period, freeing up supply for domestic consumption. Concurrently, imports rose substantially, reflecting robust internal demand, with tissue paper becoming the country's fifth most imported product by 2023.

A key development was an US$18 million investment in 2021 to modernize the Sitio del Niño plant, boosting production capacity for toilet paper and towels by 30% and solidifying El Salvador's position among the world's top tissue suppliers. While physical production volumes remained stable, this enhancement supported the country's export-oriented strategy. Global factors, such as raw material price fluctuations, contributed to the market's value increasing even faster than its volume, reaching US$217.3 million in 2023.

El Salvador emerged as a significant regional trade hub for tissue products, with active commerce to the United States, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Honduras. The sector's export earnings exceeded US$419.6 million in 2023, nearly half from toilet paper, underscoring the industry's scale despite a recent dip in overseas sales.

Production household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in El Salvador

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, 2018-2021

World map of production of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, 2018-2021

In 2021, El Salvador produced 85 519 tons of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, showing only minor fluctuations compared to 2020. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2019 at 0.0%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

After a two-year decline, production of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in El Salvador increased in 2021. The output was valued at 119.7 million US dollars, marking a robust gain of 11.0% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, production decreased by 9.3%, which equates to an annualized rate of 3.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 107.8 million US dollars, with the largest decline also occurring in 2020 at 12.0%.

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

Exports household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets from El Salvador

Exports in kind, t

Foreign supplies of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets from El Salvador declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 7 579 tons, corresponding to a strong drop of 12.9% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 34.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Costa Rica played a leading role in exports in kind of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets from El Salvador, accounting for 90.0% of total flows, with the remainder distributed across other partners.

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

Shipments of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets from El Salvador to abroad declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports were recorded at 10 606 thousand US dollars, which is 3.3% lower than the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 40.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 15.8%.

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

Over the period from 2018 to 2021, dependence on Costa Rica was pronounced, with this market accounting for 91.1% of total exports in value terms of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets from El Salvador.

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 household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets to El Salvador

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. From the low in 2018 to the high in 2021, import volumes varied 2.8 times. In 2021, El Salvador imported approximately 18 960 tons of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, showing a rise of 31.9% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 8.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 129.0%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Turkey, Vietnam, and the United States played leading roles in imports in kind of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets to El Salvador. Turkey accounted for 39.6% of imports in kind, Vietnam for 21.5%, and the United States for 13.3%, jointly taking 74.3% of total flows.

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 signs of volatility over the observed period. From the trough in 2018 to the peak in 2021, there was a 3-fold gap. In 2021, shipments of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets to El Salvador from abroad reached 23 913 thousand US dollars, showing a rise of 45.3% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 14.9%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 145.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Turkey, Vietnam, and the United States remained the principal suppliers of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets to El Salvador in value terms. Turkey accounted for 40.0% of imports in value terms, Vietnam for 20.7%, and the United States for 12.5%, jointly accounting for 73.2% of total imports in value terms.

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

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