Tomato juice market in El Salvador

Earlier Report Observations

The tomato juice market in El Salvador saw significant growth from 760 thousand liters in 2018 to over 1 million liters in 2021, driven largely by import dependency. A 20% reduction in tomato cultivation in 2018 increased reliance on imported tomatoes, while stable prices for Nicaraguan tomatoes in 2019 supported high import volumes. In 2020, market volume dipped slightly despite increased domestic production. The following year, ample supply of tomato paste from Honduras contributed to further import growth, pushing market size to 1,069 thousand liters.

From 2022 onward, investments in greenhouse infrastructure, initiated in 2018 and expanded in Las Pilas, began to reduce import dependence from 84% to around 68-69%. This led to lower juice imports in 2022 and 2023, though market volume remained above 1.1 million liters due to a sharp drop in exports. Changing consumer preferences toward locally produced, traceable products supported demand. In 2024, continued policy focus on local production and labeling regulations aimed at quality assurance, while international price fluctuations affected import costs. By 2025, import volumes fell further, reflecting the ongoing shift toward domestic tomato cultivation.

Production tomato juice in El Salvador

In kind, 2018-2021, K l

Top producers of tomato juice, 2018-2021

World map of production of tomato juice, 2018-2021

Tomato juice production in El Salvador has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 831.0 K l of tomato juice, marking a gradual increase of 7.3% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 4%, which translates to an annualized rate of 1.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 716.2 K l, with the largest decline of 10.4% occurring that same year. In contrast, the largest increase was observed in 2020, with an 8.2% rise.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Tomato juice production in El Salvador has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 452.6 K $ US, showing a strong rise of 11.6% year-over-year. However, over the period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 2.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 368.3 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 20.7%.

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

Exports tomato juice from El Salvador

Exports in kind, K l

After two years of decline, tomato juice exports from El Salvador have increased. In 2021, exports reached 754.0 K l, representing a moderate improvement of 9.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 6.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 688.8 K l, which also experienced the largest decline of 11.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the country structure of exports in kind was highly concentrated, with Guatemala accounting for 100.0% of total 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

After a two-year fall, El Salvador's tomato juice exports have increased. In 2021, the export volume stood at 410.7 K $ US, corresponding to a strong advance of 13.8% over the past year. However, over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 12.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 360.8 K $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 14.4% drop.

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

Over the period from 2018 to 2021, the structure of exports in value terms was dominated by a single market: Guatemala, which held a share of 100.0% of total 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 tomato juice to El Salvador

Imports in kind, K l

In 2021, cross-border shipments of tomato juice to El Salvador reached 992.2 K l, showing an uptick of 21.0% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 29.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.0%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 998.2 K l, with the largest increase of 30.4% occurring that year. The largest decline was observed in 2020, with a 17.8% decrease.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico played the leading roles in imports in kind of tomato juice to El Salvador. Honduras accounted for 48.9% of imports, Guatemala for 25.7%, and Mexico for 24.8%, jointly taking 99.4% of total 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

In 2021, El Salvador's tomato juice import volume tallied 673.9 K $ US, showing a notable gain of 20.6% relative to the prior year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 34.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 742.2 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 48.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a 24.7% drop.

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

From 2018 to 2021, two markets—Honduras and Guatemala—played the leading roles in imports in value terms, together taking 81.7% of total flows, while the rest was distributed among other destinations.

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

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