El Salvador's exports showed significant growth in the first two months of 2025 compared to the same period of the previous year. According to official data, exports reached $1,097.0 million, reflecting a 5.7% increase in value and a 2.8% increase in volume, reaching 654.9 million kilograms.

This export growth was primarily driven by traditional products, which totaled $83.1 million. Within this category, coffee exports reached $22.9 million, a 58.0% increase compared to the same period in 2024, and sugar exports reached $60.1 million, a 7.1% increase. Non-traditional exports also increased, totaling $896.3 million, a 9.5% increase.

In this segment, shipments to Central America totaled $543.1 million, a 14.7% increase, while exports outside the region saw a 2.4% increase in value. Despite overall growth, the maquila sector experienced a significant contraction, with exports of $117.7 million, representing a 20.9% drop compared to 2014. This decline was primarily influenced by reduced demand for textiles, which is one of the largest employers in the formal sector. Exports of T-shirts alone, the main export product, fell by 26.7%, totaling $84.5 million. By destination, exports to the United States, El Salvador's main trading partner, continued to decline, falling by 3.7% to $350.3 million, equivalent to 31.9% of the export basket.

In addition, there were significant decreases in shipments to China (-22.6%), Mexico (-55%), Chile (-73.8%) and Taiwan (-44.4%).