Raw cane or beet sugar in solid form market in El Salvador

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Salvadoran sugar production reached 823 thousand tons in 2019, aided by favorable winter conditions that boosted cane yields. During this period, exports surged by over 120 thousand tons to 514 thousand tons in 2019, driven by industry negotiations to access new markets like the United Kingdom and South Korea, alongside global supply expectations as Brazil shifted cane toward ethanol. This export growth sharply reduced the domestic market volume to 309 thousand tons in 2019, despite higher output.

The COVID-19 pandemic initially depressed global sugar prices in 2020, though the sector reported strong export momentum in the first eight months. Production eased to 782 thousand tons in 2020, while exports remained elevated. In subsequent years, operational challenges such as security issues affecting worker mobility and the establishment of a mandatory contribution to fund the industry regulator CONSAA influenced the production environment. Tariff exemptions for essential goods and increased U.S. tariff-rate quotas supported external sales.

By 2023, El Salvador had consolidated its position as Central America's second-largest sugar producer, underpinned by the associative revenue-sharing model that allocates 56% of income to growers and 44% to mills. Nevertheless, production gradually declined to 765 thousand tons, and exports fell to 403 thousand tons, as the industry contended with competition from subsidized imports and a persistent structural reliance on the U.S. market. Sector-wide sustainability initiatives, including a plan to phase out cane burning by 2040, marked a longer-term strategic shift.

Production raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in El Salvador

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, 2018-2021

World map of production of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, 2018-2021

In 2021, El Salvador produced 805.7 thousand tons of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, marking a 3.0% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 2.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 0.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 782.4 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 823.0 thousand tons. The most significant drop occurred in 2020 with a 4.9% decrease, whereas the largest rise was in 2019 with a 4.4% increase.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, El Salvador's production of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form rebounded. In 2021, the output was valued at 312.9 million US dollars, up by 15.7% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production decreased by 2.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 270.5 million US dollars, and the largest decline happened in 2019 with a 13.3% drop.

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

Exports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from El Salvador

Exports in kind, K t

In 2021, El Salvador exported 485.0 thousand tons of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, representing a 10.6% year-over-year increase. From 2018 to 2021, exports rose by 23.8%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 7.4%. The peak export volume was in 2019 at 514.0 thousand tons. The most substantial decrease occurred in 2020 with a 14.7% decline, while the largest increase was in 2019 with a 31.2% rise.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, China, South Korea, and the United States remained the primary buyers of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from El Salvador. China accounted for 34.0% of exports in kind, South Korea for 18.4%, and the United States for 17.0%. Together, these three countries formed 69.4% of total exports in kind.

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

In 2021, El Salvador's exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form reached 188.4 million US dollars, up by 24.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports increased by 18.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 151.6 million US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2020 with a 12.4% decrease.

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

From 2018 to 2021, China, the United States, and South Korea were the main destinations for El Salvador's exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in value terms. China held a 33.2% share, the United States 19.1%, and South Korea 18.3%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 70.6% 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 raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to El Salvador

Imports in kind, K t

Foreign supplies of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to El Salvador declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to 0.0 thousand tons, reflecting an 81.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports fell by 92.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 57.1%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the United States was the principal source for raw cane or beet sugar in solid form imports to El Salvador, accounting for 80.4% of total imports in kind. Other destinations contributed to a smaller portion of the 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, M $ US

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Import volumes peaked in 2019 and reached their lowest point in 2021, with a 3.7-fold difference between these years. In 2021, El Salvador's imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form totaled 0.0 million US dollars, down by 72.8% compared to 2020. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 million US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 5.7% rise.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United States and Guatemala were the main sources for imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 81.5% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among other markets.

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

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