A recent study by the Salvadoran Coffee Institute (ISC) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revealed that Spain, despite purchasing only 0.04% of El Salvador’s total coffee exports in 2023, pays some of the highest prices for Salvadoran coffee. The study, conducted in collaboration with the Salvadoran Embassy in Spain, aimed to explore the country’s coffee market and identify export opportunities.
In 2023, Spain imported 84,081.18 kilograms of coffee from El Salvador, paying a total of $610,852, which translates to an average price of $7.27 per kilogram or $7,274 per ton. This makes Spain one of the highest-paying countries for Salvadoran coffee, even compared to larger exporters like Colombia and Honduras, whose per-ton prices were $4,783 and $4,559, respectively.
Norway tops the list of paying the highest prices for Salvadoran coffee at $8,590 per ton, followed by Ireland, Hong Kong, and Turkey. Spain ranks fifth, surpassing the United States, which, while being El Salvador’s largest coffee buyer, paid only $4,877 per ton in 2023.
Despite being one of Europe’s largest countries with a population of 48 million, Spain has one of the lowest per capita coffee consumption rates in the European Union, with each citizen consuming an average of 3.81 kilograms annually, according to the Spanish Coffee Association (AECafé). However, Spain’s coffee market presents opportunities for Salvadoran exporters, especially given the zero-tariff benefits under the Association Agreement between the European Union and Central America.
The report highlights the cultural and historical ties between El Salvador and Spain, noting that the shared language and familiarity can help foster business relationships and market expansion. Additionally, Spain is seen as the “gateway” for coffee distribution across Europe, particularly with the growing demand for high-quality roasted coffee, despite the market’s preference for instant coffee.