Orange juice market in El Salvador

Earlier Report Observations

The orange juice market in El Salvador showed substantial volume swings between 2018 and 2023. The entry of external companies, facilitated by the lack of local juice processors in orange‑producing areas like San Pedro Nonualco, increased the presence of packaged juice and supported high import levels in the early part of the period.

Domestic production expanded from 748 thousand L in 2018 to 926 thousand L in 2022 before moderating to 886 thousand L in 2023. Imports, which supplied the majority of the market, peaked at nearly 3.0 million L in 2021 but then fell in subsequent years. A sharp rise in exports—from minimal levels before 2022 to 656 thousand L in 2023—reduced the volume available for domestic consumption.

As a result, the total market volume rose from 2.84 million L in 2018 to a high of 3.78 million L in 2021, then contracted to 2.42 million L by 2023, reflecting both lower imports and increased outbound shipments.

Production orange juice in El Salvador

In kind, 2018-2021, K l

Top producers of orange juice, 2018-2021

World map of production of orange juice, 2018-2021

Orange juice production in El Salvador increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 809.2 K l of orange juice, marking a 3.0% rise compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 8.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 664.0 K l, which represented an 11.2% decline from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2020, with production surging by 18.3%.

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

Exports orange juice from El Salvador

Exports in kind, K l

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with a 169-fold difference between these years. In 2021, orange juice exports from El Salvador totaled 14 K l, showing a sharp year-over-year improvement of 282.1%. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2020 at 4 K l, following the largest decline of 99.0% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from El Salvador in kind, 2018-2021, K l

From 2018 to 2021, orange juice from El Salvador was supplied almost exclusively to Guatemala, which accounted for 98.1% of total exports in volume terms.

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

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. The lowest point was in 2020, while the peak occurred in 2018, showing a 135-fold fluctuation. In 2021, orange juice shipments from El Salvador reached 37 K $ US, representing a dramatic gain of 1 473.3% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 2 K $ US, after the largest decline of 98.8% in 2019.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, dependence on Guatemala was pronounced, with this market accounting for 96.6% of total exports in value terms for orange juice 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 orange juice to El Salvador

Imports in kind, K l

In 2021, orange juice deliveries to El Salvador amounted to 2 985 K l, corresponding to a significant increase of 21.2% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 10.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 2 462 K l, which also saw the largest decline of 16.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to El Salvador in kind, 2018-2021, K l

From 2018 to 2021, Honduras held the dominant position in imports by volume, accounting for 76.5% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among various smaller destinations.

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

In 2021, orange juice shipments to El Salvador from abroad amounted to 2 582 K $ US, indicating a strong gain of 21.5% over the past year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 7.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 2 124 K $ US, following the largest decline of 23.3% that year. The maximum value occurred in 2019 at 2 768 K $ US.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the principal destinations for imports in value terms were Honduras (49.8% of imports), Mexico (27.0% of imports), and the United States (11.5% of imports), jointly accounting for 88.4% of total 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