Market research

Unmanufactured tobacco and refuse market in El Salvador

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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Earlier Report Observations

The market for unmanufactured tobacco in El Salvador showed moderate growth from 2018 to 2022, with volume increasing from 2 315 t to a peak of 2 434 t, before contracting to 2 173 t in 2023. This movement was primarily driven by fluctuating import levels, while domestic production remained stable.

The market's expansion through 2022 occurred amid a broader regulatory push, including the enactment of a comprehensive tobacco control law that set rules for import, promotion, and labeling. Simultaneously, authorities reported significant challenges with cigarette smuggling, which affected the legal market environment.

The market decline in 2023 coincided with the documented emergence of new product segments like heated tobacco and e-cigarettes among consumers, which likely diverted some demand away from traditional unmanufactured leaf.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in El Salvador
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in El Salvador in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in El Salvador in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to El Salvador in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to El Salvador in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to El Salvador, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to El Salvador in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to El Salvador in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to El Salvador, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from El Salvador in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from El Salvador in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from El Salvador, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from El Salvador in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from El Salvador in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from El Salvador, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2025
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in El Salvador

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

In 2019, El Salvador's production of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse reached its peak at 1,851 tonnes. The following year, in 2020, production declined by 2.1%, marking the largest drop in the period. In 2021, production stood at 1,814 tonnes, showing only a slight change from 2020, with the largest increase of 4.1% having occurred back in 2019.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	4.1%	(2.1%)	0.1%	0.7%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports unmanufactured tobacco and refuse from El Salvador

Exports in kind, t

El Salvador's exports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in 2021 were 0.0 tonnes, representing a sharp decline of 89.7% compared to 2020.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	(89.7%)	-

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, the United States was the sole destination for El Salvador's exports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in kind, consistently accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from El Salvador in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, $ US

In 2021, El Salvador's exports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse amounted to 70 US dollars, a decrease of 44.0% from the previous year.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	(44.0%)	-

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2018 and 2021, the United States was the primary market for El Salvador's unmanufactured tobacco and refuse exports in value terms, absorbing 100.0% of total exports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from El Salvador in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports unmanufactured tobacco and refuse to El Salvador

Imports in kind, t

El Salvador's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse increased for the second consecutive year in 2021, reaching approximately 515.9 tonnes, which is 18.5% higher than in 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 3.8%, averaging an annual decline of 1.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 406.0 tonnes, with the largest decline of 24.3% also occurring that year.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(24.3%)	7.3%	18.5%	(1.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Guatemala dominated El Salvador's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in kind, holding a 100.0% share of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, $ US

After a two-year decline, El Salvador's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse increased in 2021, totaling 85,451 US dollars, an 18.8% rise year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 9.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 71,945 US dollars, while the largest decline of 22.7% occurred in 2019.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(22.7%)	(1.9%)	18.8%	(3.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Guatemala was the key partner for El Salvador's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in value terms, accounting for 98.8% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io