Browse Data and Analysis

The Salvadoran HRI sector is having a better performance in 2022 as the tourism sector is recovering. Euromonitor reports that Salvadorans spent about $2.1 billion in the Hotels/Catering category during 2021. According to recent reports by the Ministry of Tourism, El Salvador received 1.1 million foreign visitors in the first half of 2022, representing a 92 percent recovery compared to the same period in 2019.

The retail sector in El Salvador has remained strong and stable, with new outlets opening and new online shopping options. Super Selectos is the largest supermarket chain, followed by Walmart which in January 2022 announced it is considering the sale of its outlet stores in El Salvador. Imports of U.S. consumer-oriented products reached a record-high of $267 million in 2021.

During 2019, El Salvador continued strengthening its commercial ties with the United States as it imported about $567 million of agricultural products, which is 4 percent more than in 2018.

In El Salvador there is no specific food law. However, the Ministry of Health’s (MINSAL) Health Code is used to enforce food safety for all food and beverage products.

This report provides examples for the major export certificates and other documents required by the government of El Salvador for U.S. exports of food and agricultural products.

In El Salvador there is no specific food law. However, the Ministry of Health’s (MINSAL) Health Code is used to enforce food safety for all food and beverage products.

Updated Sections: Section II. Purpose of Specific Export Certificate(s) and Appendix I. Electronic Copy or Outline of Each Export Certificate.

The Salvadoran retail sector, valued at approximately $4.5 billion, continues to show positive signs of growth as supermarkets and discount stores have expanded.

El Salvador continues to depend heavily on imports for many of the ingredients needed by the food manufacturing industry.

El Salvador’s coffee production is expected to reach a historic low of 505,000 sixty-kg bags in marketing year (MY) 2019/20.

Sugar production in marketing year (MY) 20 is estimated at 800,000 metric tons (MT), while production for MY19 has increased to 825,000 MT. Improving international prices have eased the financial...

On March 20th, 2020 the Salvadoran Legislative Assembly issued decree 604 temporarily eliminating import tariffs on certain products to guarantee sufficient supply during the COVID-19 emergency.