Pastry market in El Salvador

Earlier Report Observations

The pastry market volume in El Salvador grew substantially from 4 560 t in 2018 to 11 250 t in 2023, despite a temporary contraction in 2022. The initial growth phase through 2021 was supported by the emergence of local entrepreneurial ventures that reinvented pastry as a visual and flavor experience, offering customized, high-quality products and driving innovation in the sector.

A key regulatory change in 2022, involving updated sanitary norms and labeling requirements for pastry products, increased compliance costs for producers and contributed to the market's slight decline that year. By 2023, the market rebounded as innovation continued with new recipes, gluten-free options, and an expanded supply of personalized and creative pastry offerings, which helped restore growth momentum.

In the following years, ongoing trends such as the consumer shift toward artisanal, high-quality pastries, demand for healthier options, and the expansion of online sales channels further shaped the market's development environment.

Production pastry in El Salvador

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of pastry, 2018-2021

World map of production of pastry, 2018-2021

In 2019, pastry production in El Salvador reached its peak at 40 663 tons. However, in 2020, output dropped significantly to 28 826 tons, marking a 29.1% decline—the largest decrease during this period. Production rebounded in 2021, rising to 34 283 tons, which represents an 18.9% increase compared to 2020. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2019 at 20.7%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2019, the value of pastry production in El Salvador peaked at 67 992 thousand US dollars. The following year, in 2020, it fell to 49 746 thousand US dollars, a 26.8% drop—the largest decline observed. By 2021, production value recovered to 59 166 thousand US dollars, up 18.9% year-over-year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production value grew by 7%, averaging an annualized increase of 2.3%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 23.0%.

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

Exports pastry from El Salvador

Exports in kind, t

In 2019, pastry exports from El Salvador reached their highest level at 52 674 tons. In 2020, exports decreased to 39 083 tons, a 25.8% decline—the largest drop in this period. By 2021, exports rebounded to 46 623 tons, showing a strong 19.3% improvement compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, exports increased by 3%, with an annualized growth rate of 1.0%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua were the main destinations for El Salvador's pastry exports in volume terms. Guatemala accounted for 42.1% of exports, Honduras for 31.4%, and Nicaragua for 11.9%. Together, these three countries absorbed 85.5% of total pastry exports from El Salvador.

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

In 2019, the value of pastry exports from El Salvador peaked at 88 076 thousand US dollars. In 2020, export value fell to 67 447 thousand US dollars, a 23.4% decrease—the largest decline. By 2021, exports recovered to 80 464 thousand US dollars, up 19.3% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, export value increased by 8.4%, with an annualized growth rate of 2.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Guatemala, Honduras, and the United States formed the primary markets for El Salvador's pastry exports in value terms. Guatemala represented 41.8% of exports, Honduras 27.1%, and the United States 15.5%. Together, these three countries accounted for 84.4% of total export flows.

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 pastry to El Salvador

Imports in kind, t

Pastry imports into El Salvador have increased for three consecutive years. In 2021, import volume reached 22 396 tons, up 16.5% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 39%, with an annualized increase of 11.6%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Guatemala, Honduras, and Costa Rica were the leading sources of pastry imports into El Salvador in volume terms. Guatemala supplied 58.6% of imports, Honduras 17.4%, and Costa Rica 7.3%. Together, these three countries represented 83.3% of total import 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

Pastry imports into El Salvador have risen for the third year in a row. In 2021, import value stood at 45 445 thousand US dollars, increasing by 22.5% compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, import value grew by 36.6%, with an annualized rate of 11.0%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Guatemala, Honduras, and the United States remained the key partners for El Salvador's pastry imports in value terms. Guatemala accounted for 52.0% of imports, Honduras for 17.1%, and the United States for 14.1%. Together, these three countries made up 83.2% 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