Wheat bran, sharps and residues market in El Salvador

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the market volume for wheat bran, sharps and residues in El Salvador showed significant volatility. It expanded by over 30% to 60 759 t in 2019, driven by a surge in domestic production to 64 327 t and imports peaking at 7 507 t. The following year, the market contracted by 28% to 43 909 t as production fell to 46 538 t. A recovery occurred in 2021, with market volume reaching 55 928 t alongside a rebound in production to 55 402 t and a notable drop in exports.

The market volume declined to 47 078 t in 2022 and further to 44 645 t in 2023. During this period, a new national framework for solid waste management was established, including the creation of the National Solid Waste Authority (ANDRES) and laws promoting circular economy principles. These regulations specifically allowed for the temporary storage and export of recyclable materials that could not be processed domestically, which coincided with a rise in exports to 6 265 t in 2022 and 11 816 t in 2023.

For 2024 and 2025, available trade data indicates a continued upward trend in exports, reaching 13 898 t in 2025, while imports fell to 1 148 t. During this time, El Salvador began advancing a model of regenerative agriculture, emphasizing traceability and standardized processing for agricultural by-products, which influences the demand and handling of residues like wheat bran.

Production wheat bran, sharps and residues in El Salvador

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of wheat bran, sharps and residues, 2018-2021

World map of production of wheat bran, sharps and residues, 2018-2021

In 2019, El Salvador's production of wheat bran, sharps and residues reached its highest level at 64 327 tons. This was followed by a significant decline of 27.7% in 2020, when output dropped to 46 538 tons. Production then rebounded in 2021, increasing by 19.0% to 55 402 tons.

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

Exports wheat bran, sharps and residues from El Salvador

Exports in kind, t

Exports of wheat bran, sharps and residues from El Salvador have been declining for two consecutive years. In 2019, exports peaked at 11 074 tons, with a modest increase of 3.3% that year. By 2021, exports had fallen to 4 456 tons, marking a sharp decrease of 55.9% compared to 2020. Overall, between 2018 and 2021, exports dropped by 58.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 25.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Honduras and Guatemala were the sole destinations for El Salvador's exports of wheat bran, sharps and residues, together accounting for 100.0% of total export volumes.

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 wheat bran, sharps and residues exports from El Salvador has also declined for two years in a row. In 2019, export value reached its maximum at 1 615 thousand US dollars, with a substantial increase of 46.5% that year. By 2021, exports had fallen to 645 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 39.5% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value decreased by 41.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -16.3%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Honduras and Guatemala remained the primary buyers of wheat bran, sharps and residues from El Salvador in value terms, together representing 100.0% of total export value.

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 wheat bran, sharps and residues to El Salvador

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of wheat bran, sharps and residues into El Salvador showed considerable volatility during this period. In 2018, imports were at their lowest point, while they peaked in 2019 at 7 507 tons, with a dramatic increase of 428.7% that year. By 2021, imports had fallen to 4 982 tons, a sharp decline of 33.4% from the previous year. The difference between the peak in 2019 and the trough in 2018 was 5.3 times.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Nicaragua and Honduras were the main sources of imports for wheat bran, sharps and residues into El Salvador, together accounting for 100.0% of total import volumes.

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 imports for wheat bran, sharps and residues into El Salvador also exhibited significant fluctuations. In 2018, import value was at its lowest, while it reached its peak in 2019 at 1 566 thousand US dollars, with an increase of 412.7% that year. By 2021, imports had decreased to 1 373 thousand US dollars, a limited decline of 8.7% from 2020. The fluctuation between the 2019 peak and the 2018 low was 5.1 times.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Nicaragua and Honduras continued to be the key markets for imports in value terms, together taking 99.8% of total import value.

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

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