Maize flour and cereals market in El Salvador

Earlier Report Observations

The market for maize flour and cereals in El Salvador saw its volume grow from 455.5 thousand tons in 2018 to 505.0 thousand tons in 2023. Production increased over the same period, reaching a high of 557.9 thousand tons in 2019 before stabilizing. The market's growth was interrupted in 2020 when high imports of maize and maize flour, mainly from Mexico, saturated the local market and pushed down prices, contributing to a slight dip in total volume to 498.0 thousand tons and pressuring domestic producers.

A recovery began in 2022, with market volume rising to 497.3 thousand tons. This was supported by higher prices for national white corn due to low local supply, which incentivized production. Simultaneously, a reported 20-30% reduction in prices for key agricultural inputs like fertilizers lowered production costs for farmers. These developments occurred alongside ongoing consumption of cheaper imported corn from the United States, which continued to compete with local output.

The market dynamics in subsequent years continued to reflect El Salvador's position within regional trade flows, as the country remained a significant destination for maize flour exports from Mexico and a major importer from the United States, factors that persistently influenced local supply conditions and pricing.

Production maize flour and cereals in El Salvador

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2018-2021

World map of production of maize flour and cereals, 2018-2021

Maize flour and cereals production in El Salvador declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, production reached 532.0 K t, marking a 1.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production increased by 7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 557.9 K t, which represented a significant 12.2% increase from the previous year. However, the largest decline occurred in 2020, with production falling by 3.4%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, the output value of maize flour and cereals in El Salvador was 282.7 M $ US, showing a modest increase of 9.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production value grew by 14.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.5%. The largest decline in value was recorded in 2020, when it decreased by 2.2%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from El Salvador

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, foreign supplies of maize flour and cereals from El Salvador declined. In 2021, exports stood at 61 961 t, reflecting a robust decrease of 13.1% year-over-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports increased by 8.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 71 308 t, following a substantial 17.9% increase in 2019.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Honduras (56.7% of exports in kind), Guatemala (23.1% of exports in kind), and Nicaragua (13.4% of exports in kind) remained the leading destinations for El Salvador's maize flour and cereals exports, together accounting for 93.1% of total export flows.

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 maize flour and cereals exports from El Salvador declined. In 2021, exports registered 32 921 K $ US, constituting a 3.5% decrease compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value increased by 16.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 34 123 K $ US, following a 12.1% increase in 2019.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Honduras (55.6% of exports in value terms), Guatemala (22.4% of exports in value terms), and Nicaragua (14.8% of exports in value terms) continued to be the main buyers of maize flour and cereals from El Salvador, jointly forming 92.7% of total export value.

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 maize flour and cereals to El Salvador

Imports in kind, t

The import market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a two-fold difference between these years. In 2021, maize flour and cereals deliveries to El Salvador came to 16 794 t, down by 44.6% year-over-year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 30 303 t, which represented a substantial 77.7% increase from the previous year.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Honduras (62.8% of imports in kind), Mexico (16.9% of imports in kind), and Guatemala (13.4% of imports in kind) together absorbed 93.1% of total maize flour and cereals imports to El Salvador, making them the main sources of imports.

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 import market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. Import values dropped to their minimum in 2018 and climbed to their maximum in 2020, showing a 2.4-fold increase between these years. In 2021, maize flour and cereals imports to El Salvador stood at 10 267 K $ US, constituting a sharp decline of 48.9% year-over-year. The highest import value was recorded in 2020 at 20 090 K $ US, which represented a dramatic 125.7% increase from the previous year.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Honduras (52.4% of imports in value terms), Mexico (22.5% of imports in value terms), and Guatemala (19.1% of imports in value terms) formed the key group of partners for maize flour and cereals imports to El Salvador, jointly representing 94.1% 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