Milk market in El Salvador

Earlier Report Observations

Milk production in El Salvador fluctuated between 2018 and 2021, falling to 368 thousand tons in 2019 before recovering to 420 thousand tons by 2021. The market volume followed a similar pattern, dropping to 398 thousand tons in 2019 and rising to 445 thousand tons in 2021. In value terms, production peaked at $1.1 billion in 2020, while the market size exceeded $1.1 billion that same year.

In 2022, the market volume increased to 455 thousand tons and its value reached $1.3 billion. This growth coincided with government and Ministry of Agriculture actions to strengthen border controls for dairy product quality, which reduced pressure from mass imports and supported local producers. Simultaneously, the expansion of processing capacity at the Las Joyitas de Oriente plant boosted the transformation of local milk into cheeses and creams.

By 2023, the physical market volume slightly declined to 453 thousand tons, whereas the market value continued to rise, reaching $1.3 billion. Over the full period from 2018 to 2023, the market volume in kind grew by 3%, while its value increased by 31%, reflecting a significant rise in the worth of dairy products.

Production milk in El Salvador

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of milk, 2018-2021

World map of production of milk, 2018-2021

El Salvador's milk production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 419.6 K t of milk, marking a slight increase of 2.2% compared to the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 368.3 K t, which saw the largest decline of 11.5%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2020 with a growth of 11.4%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, the value of milk output in El Salvador was 1 033 M $ US, representing a 3.9% decrease from the prior year. From 2018 to 2021, production value rose by 5.3%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 1.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 914 M $ US, which experienced the largest decline of 6.9%. The highest value occurred in 2020 at 1 075 M $ US, with the largest increase of 17.7%.

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

Exports milk from El Salvador

Exports in kind, t

El Salvador's milk exports have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 1 165 t, which is 56.9% higher than the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 124.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 31.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Guatemala and Costa Rica were the dominant destinations for El Salvador's milk exports in kind, jointly accounting for 93.0% of total flows, while the remaining share went to other markets.

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

El Salvador's cross-border shipments of milk have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country exported 2 867 K $ US of milk, which is 47.4% higher than the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 134.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 32.9%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Guatemala clearly dominated El Salvador's milk exports in value terms, taking 71.3% of total flows, while other countries each held significantly smaller shares.

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 milk to El Salvador

Imports in kind, t

El Salvador's volume of milk imports has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, import volume amounted to 27 064 t, indicating an 8.4% fall compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 11.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 30 495 t, which saw the largest increase of 25.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Costa Rica (37.7% of imports in kind), New Zealand (18.6% of imports in kind), and Honduras (13.4% of imports in kind) were the main suppliers of milk to El Salvador, together comprising 69.7% 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

After a two-year advance, El Salvador's imported milk volumes declined. In 2021, import volume totalled 50 934 K $ US, equivalent to a strong fall of 17.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 5.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 61 779 K $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 26.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, New Zealand (31.9% of imports in value terms), Costa Rica (29.0% of imports in value terms), and the United States (13.4% of imports in value terms) were the main suppliers of milk to El Salvador, together comprising 74.3% 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