El Salvador Trade Deficit Widens in March

El Salvador's trade deficit widened to $1,134.16 million in March 2026 from $895.4 million a year earlier. Imports rose 14.62% year-on-year to $1,716.77 million, driven by a 15.45% surge in purchases from outside Central America and a 12.21% jump in shipments from within the region. Exports increased 8.33% to $582.61 million, supported by a 67.72% rise in coffee sales and a 14.59% gain in sugar exports.

El Salvador’s trade deficit widened to USD 836.38 million in February 2026 from USD 765.89 million a year earlier. Imports rose 4.71% to USD 1.36 billion, driven by a 17.92% decrease in maquila goods, with purchases from outside Central America up 5.10% and those from the region up 6.70%. Exports fell 1.77% to USD 521.4 million, as traditional goods sales fell 48.91% and non traditional exports rose 4.18%. Sales to markets outside Central America rose 10.66%, while exports to the region fell 0.02%.

El Salvador’s trade deficit narrowed to USD 799.23 million in January 2026 from USD 905.30 million a year earlier. Imports fell 4.39% to USD 1.36 billion, driven by a 1.54% decrease in maquila goods, with purchases from outside Central America down 5.81% and those from the region up 1.73%. Exports rose 8.46% to USD 559.4 million, as traditional goods sales surged 154.94% and non traditional exports rose 0.91%. Sales to markets outside Central America rose 0.14%, while exports to the region rose 1.42%.