Sucrose in solid form market in El Salvador

Earlier Report Observations

Production of chemically pure sucrose in solid form in El Salvador showed considerable variation from 2018 to 2023. Output dropped from 364.5 thousand tons in 2018 to 284.3 thousand tons the following year, then stabilized before climbing back to 333.4 thousand tons by 2023. The domestic market volume mirrored this turbulence, falling from 320.5 thousand tons to 240.6 thousand tons in 2019 and reaching a low of 210.3 thousand tons in 2021, before partially recovering to 267.2 thousand tons in 2022.

The sector has been guided by the Salvadoran Sugarcane Agroindustry Council (CONSAA), a key entity created in 2001 to promote cooperation and investment. In 2025, the Legislative Assembly approved an economic contribution from sugar cane producers and mills to strengthen CONSAA's funding, ensuring the continuation of research and genetic improvement programs. That same year, the industry presented a technical plan to gradually eliminate cane burning and transition to mechanized green harvesting by 2040, aligning with broader sustainability goals.

Exports played an increasingly important role, with shipments growing from 44.0 thousand tons in 2018 to 96.1 thousand tons in 2023. The United States remained the primary export destination, providing a stable outlet for Salvadoran sugar production.

Production sucrose in solid form in El Salvador

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of sucrose in solid form, 2018-2021

World map of production of sucrose in solid form, 2018-2021

In 2021, El Salvador produced 278.4 thousand tons of sucrose in solid form, marking a 2.4% decrease from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production fell by 23.6%, which translates to an annualized decline of 8.6%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 22.0% reduction, while the largest increase was a modest 0.4% in 2020.

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 sucrose in solid form production saw an upturn. In 2021, the output was valued at 138.2 million US dollars, rising by 26.9% compared to the prior year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 13.3%, averaging an annualized rate of 4.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 108.9 million US dollars, with the steepest decline of 17.5% occurring in 2019.

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

Exports sucrose in solid form from El Salvador

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, El Salvador's foreign supplies of sucrose in solid form totaled 68 155 tons, down by 6.2% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 54.8%, equating to an annualized increase of 15.7%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 43 756 tons, while the peak was in 2020 at 72 653 tons, with the largest surge of 66.0% also recorded that year.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United States, accounting for 57.1% of exports in kind, along with Asia (not elsewhere specified) at 8.3% and Mexico at 8.1%, formed the core of El Salvador's export flows. Together, these three markets represented 73.6% 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, K $ US

El Salvador's sucrose in solid form export volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 33 826 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 21.9% rise compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, exports surged by 75.7%, averaging an annualized growth rate of 20.7%.

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

During 2018–2021, three key markets—the United States, Asia (not elsewhere specified), and Mexico—collectively accounted for 75.8% of the total export value of sucrose in solid form 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 sucrose in solid form to El Salvador

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during these years, with volumes reaching their lowest point in 2019 at 13 tons and peaking in 2020 at 33 tons, a 2.6-fold difference. In 2021, El Salvador's imports of sucrose in solid form amounted to 24 tons, declining by 29.4% year-over-year. The largest increase was recorded in 2020, with a jump of 157.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United States and Guatemala were the dominant sources for imports in kind, together capturing 96.6% of total flows, while other markets accounted for the remainder.

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 market displayed volatility over the observed period, with imports hitting a low of 27 thousand US dollars in 2019 and a high of 74 thousand US dollars in 2020, a 2.8-fold change. In 2021, El Salvador imported a total of 50 thousand US dollars of sucrose in solid form, representing a 32.3% decrease from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2020, with a rise of 176.8%.

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

Over 2018–2021, the United States and Guatemala were the primary suppliers of sucrose in solid form to El Salvador, together making up 92.9% of total imports in value terms, with other destinations each contributing relatively small shares.

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

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