San Salvador, September 30, 2025 – During the first eight months of 2025, Salvadoran exports showed positive performance, driven primarily by the increase in international coffee prices and the dynamism of non-traditional markets. Total exports through August rose from US$4,319.4 million in 2024 to US$4,600.9 million in 2025, representing a 6.5% increase in value and a 5.4% increase in volume, although with significant variations across products and sectors.

Coffee stood out as a revenue driver, reaching US$149.6 million (+34.1% in value), thanks to the rise in international prices (+28.4%), while volume barely increased (+4.5%). In contrast, sugar experienced an 11.4% decrease in value, despite a slight increase in volume (+2.5%), reflecting its dependence on international prices.

In the area of non-traditional exports, the total reached US$3,764.7 million, representing a 9.4% increase in value. Central America led the growth with a 10.1% increase in value and an 11.2% increase in volume, while markets outside the region grew by 8.4% in value, although with a decrease in volume (-3.7%), reflecting revenue driven by higher prices.

Meanwhile, the maquila sector continues to contract, declining from US$593.0 million in 2024 to US$533.4 million in 2025, with decreases in both value (-10%) and volume (-13%), mainly due to the downturn in the textile and apparel sector. Only textile subsectors and some electronic products, such as microcapacitors, showed growth, with electronics standing out as an emerging driver within the industry.

International markets presented mixed results. The Central American Common Market (CACM) grew 11.6% in value, driven by Guatemala (+14.1%) and Honduras (+20.1%), while Costa Rica's exports fell by 10.7%. The European Union registered an 8.7% increase in value and an 8.1% increase in volume, demonstrating effective use of the existing trade agreement. Other markets, including the United States, grew moderately (3.6% in value), although with uneven results among trading partners.

Regarding the business structure, El Salvador had 2,297 exporting companies as of August 2025, a figure similar to the previous year. This growth was primarily driven by large companies, which accounted for approximately 79% of exports, increasing their exports by 8.8%, while micro and small enterprises saw their share decline, highlighting the need to diversify export markets and actors.

The outlook for 2025 is projected to be positive, with international prices supporting the total value of exports, although the recovery of volume and the diversification of markets and products are key challenges to maintain competitiveness and reduce dependence on a few sectors and trading partners.