Maize market in El Salvador

Earlier Report Observations

The maize market in El Salvador experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2021. Market volume grew by 16.6% to 1.57 million tons in 2019, but then contracted over the next two years, falling to 1.37 million tons by 2021.

In 2022, the market rebounded strongly, reaching 1.57 million tons. This growth was supported by the government's High-Yield Maize Cultivation Project, launched to train technicians and boost domestic white maize production with the goal of self-sufficiency and creating a strategic reserve. Concurrent measures to control inflationary pressures on basic goods and prevent hoarding helped stabilize supply and maintain market volume.

The market volume declined to 1.49 million tons in 2023. This was primarily due to a 7% increase in import prices for maize, driven by reduced import volumes from Nicaragua and crop damage from floods in municipalities like El Paisnal and Ahuachapán, which constrained national supply. Although authorities continued oversight to ensure supply, these production and import challenges led to a smaller market.

Production maize in El Salvador

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of maize, 2018-2021

World map of production of maize, 2018-2021

In 2021, El Salvador produced 836.7 thousand tons of maize, marking a 7.2% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 22.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.9%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019 at 14.7%, while the largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 0.7%.

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

Exports maize from El Salvador

Exports in kind, K t

Maize exports from El Salvador showed significant volatility between 2018 and 2021. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 1.4 thousand tons, while exports peaked in 2021 at 6.5 thousand tons, representing a 4.7-fold difference between these years. In 2021, exports increased by 26.8% compared to 2020. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 40.6%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2020 at 270.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Guatemala and Honduras were the primary destinations for El Salvador's maize exports, collectively accounting for most shipments. Other markets individually played a smaller role during this period.

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, M $ US

The value of maize exports from El Salvador exhibited considerable volatility from 2018 to 2021. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 0.5 million US dollars, while exports reached their peak in 2021 at 2.5 million US dollars, showing a 4.6-fold difference. In 2021, export value increased by 85.2% compared to 2020. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 6.0%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2020 at 149.4%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Guatemala and Honduras dominated El Salvador's maize exports in value terms, together accounting for 92.4% of total export flows. The remaining 7.6% was distributed among various other destinations.

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 to El Salvador

Imports in kind, K t

El Salvador's maize imports declined for the second consecutive year in 2021, reaching approximately 543.3 thousand tons, which represents a 19.8% decrease from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 18.5%, with a compound annual decline rate of 6.6%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 790.1 thousand tons, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase at 18.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United States was the leading source of maize imports to El Salvador, accounting for 83.5% of total import volumes. The remaining 16.5% was distributed among other trading partners.

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, M $ US

In 2021, the value of maize imports to El Salvador reached 166.7 million US dollars, representing a 14.9% increase from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, import value grew by 21.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 6.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 169.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase at 23.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 14.2%.

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

During the 2018-2021 period, the United States maintained a dominant position in El Salvador's maize imports by value, accounting for 81.9% of total import flows. The remaining 18.1% was distributed among various smaller trading partners.

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

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