Rice market in El Salvador

Earlier Report Observations

Rice production in El Salvador showed volatility between 2018 and 2023. In 2019, output grew to 27.6 thousand tons, supported by product innovations from Arroz San Pedro, which expanded its range with precooked and variously packaged rice to strengthen retail presence. However, severe storms Amanda and Cristóbal in 2020 damaged local crops, reducing production and triggering a surge in imports to 103.3 thousand tons to maintain supply, which pushed market volume to 125.6 thousand tons despite the domestic decline.

Following the storms, production continued to fall, reaching 11.0 thousand tons by 2023, while imports remained high to meet demand. In response, the government initiated support measures in 2022, distributing fertilizers to nearly 300 rice producers and planning a cooperation agreement with Colombia to introduce higher-yielding, climate-resilient rice varieties. Nonetheless, the highly concentrated fertilizer market, dominated by two firms, posed challenges to sector efficiency. Market volume fluctuated, ending at 111.9 thousand tons in 2023.

By 2024, the El Niño phenomenon brought droughts and floods, affecting grain production and driving up import prices for rice, as reflected in a 9.7% rise in import value despite stable volume. Import volumes then jumped significantly to 160.1 thousand tons in 2025, indicating growing reliance on foreign supplies amid climatic disruptions, while export volumes also increased steadily over the period.

Production rice in El Salvador

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of rice, 2018-2021

World map of production of rice, 2018-2021

Rice production in El Salvador has declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 19,146 tons of rice, marking an 18.5% decrease from 2020. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, overall production fell by 15.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 5.6%. The peak production was recorded in 2019 at 27,603 tons, with the largest year-on-year increase of 21.3% also occurring that year.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

The value of rice production in El Salvador has also dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2021, rice output was valued at 13,772 thousand US dollars, showing a significant decline of 12.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, however, production value actually increased by 2.9%, averaging a 1.0% annual growth rate. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 18,406 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 37.5%. The most substantial decline occurred in 2020, with a 15.0% drop.

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

Exports rice from El Salvador

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes of rice from El Salvador show irregular patterns, reflecting a volatile market. The lowest point was in 2020 at 1.2 thousand tons, which saw the largest decline of 59.3%. In 2021, exports rebounded sharply to 3.7 thousand tons, representing a 198.9% increase from the previous year and marking the highest volume in the period. The gap between the 2020 low and 2021 high was threefold.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Guatemala formed the core markets for El Salvador's rice exports by volume. Costa Rica accounted for 40.5% of exports, Honduras for 31.2%, and Guatemala for 16.9%. Together, these three countries represented 88.6% of total export flows.

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

The value of rice exports from El Salvador exhibits significant volatility. The lowest point was in 2020 at 821 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 59.4%. In 2021, export value surged to 2,650 thousand US dollars, reflecting a dramatic 222.9% increase from the previous year and reaching the period's maximum. The swing from 2020 to 2021 was 3.2 times.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Guatemala consistently led as the top destinations for El Salvador's rice exports by value. Costa Rica held 41.5% of export value, Honduras 31.0%, and Guatemala 15.1%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 87.6% 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 rice to El Salvador

Imports in kind, K t

Rice imports into El Salvador totaled 94.4 thousand tons in 2021, an 8.6% decrease from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports fell by 10.3%, averaging an annual decline of 3.5%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 89.6 thousand tons, which saw the largest drop of 14.8%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the biggest increase of 15.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United States dominated El Salvador's rice imports by volume, accounting for 74.4% of total flows. All other markets combined made up the remaining share.

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

The value of rice imports into El Salvador was recorded at 36,348 thousand US dollars in 2021, a 13.7% decrease from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, import value declined by 9.3%, with an average annual decrease of 3.2%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 29,591 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 26.2%. The peak occurred in 2020 at 42,107 thousand US dollars, marking the biggest increase of 42.3%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, the United States was the primary source for El Salvador's rice imports by value, representing 70.5% of total flows. Other markets contributed smaller shares, forming a diverse but less significant group of 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