The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) of El Salvador projects that by 2026, 80 percent of the products sold in the country’s agromarkets will come from national production.

The government expanded the agromarket program in response to rising basic food prices in July 2024. There are now 61 agromarkets operating nationwide, along with two major distribution centers located in Soyapango and Usulután.

“More than 70 percent of the products sold come from Salvadoran hands. Sometimes we reach 75 or even 78 percent, depending on the season,” said Vice Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Óscar Domínguez during a presentation to the Legislative Assembly’s Finance and Budget Committee on October 31.

Domínguez explained that nearly 800 local producers supply the agromarkets, with around 340 participating per season. “We are projecting to reach 80 percent national supply by 2026,” he stated, attributing the growth to over 2,400 manzanas of vegetable crops currently supported by the MAG.

According to the Vice Minister, agromarkets serve as a “window for farmers to sell their products, benefiting both producers and the Salvadoran population.” He added that while imported goods—such as meat from Paraguay and Argentina—are still part of the offer, “Salvadorans can have a basic food basket for less than $40 per week.”

The MAG reported that by the end of 2024, 7.3 million visitors had been served through the agromarkets, and the number rose to 19.5 million purchases in 2025. The initiative has generated around 3,600 direct jobs and nearly 4,000 indirect ones.

Originally launched in 2004, the agromarket program expanded in 2023 to include weekend events across different regions. In 2024, it evolved into a national initiative to strengthen food supply chains and reduce dependency on imports—especially fruits and vegetables from Guatemala, which previously caused disruptions whenever roadblocks occurred.