El Salvador’s food exports reached $714.9 million between January and July 2024, reflecting a 4.6% increase compared to the $683.2 million recorded during the same period last year, according to the Central Reserve Bank (BCR) of El Salvador.

The key driver of this growth was the sugar industry, which brought in $238.9 million in international sales during the first seven months of the year, a slight increase from the $237.1 million sold in 2023. Other significant contributors to food exports included oils and fats of vegetable and animal origin ($19 million), chocolate and confectionery products ($34.2 million), and animal feed ($22 million).

Additionally, El Salvador’s milling products saw international sales of over $51 million, bakery products reached $85.8 million, and dairy products accounted for $28.9 million. The meat preservation sector earned $7.3 million, while exports of fruits, vegetables, and legumes totaled $87.2 million. Crustaceans and mollusks added $57 million, and other food products contributed $81.9 million.

Jorge Arriaza, President of the Salvadoran Association of Industrialists (ASI), emphasized the importance of the food and beverage sector to the country’s economy, highlighting its presence in around 40 international markets. “We have a world-class food and beverage industry with a variety of products. It is remarkable that most of our national products are exported to over 120 countries, with the food sector reaching approximately 30 to 40 countries,” he stated.

Arriaza also pointed to the growing demand for nostalgic products, especially in the United States, driven by the large Salvadoran and Latin American communities living there. “El Salvador leads in nostalgic products in markets like Los Angeles, Washington, and Houston, as the Latin demand continues to rise,” he added.

The U.S. market, in particular, seeks nostalgic or dehydrated products, along with bulk shipments of items like honey and vacuum-packed goods. Arriaza underscored that Salvadoran products meet all international standards, including those set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In the beverage industry, BCR data showed that exports between January and July 2024 reached $105.4 million, with non-alcoholic beverages accounting for $96.3 million of the total.