El Salvador

Although government finances improved in El Salvador, the state continues to exhibit authoritarian tendencies and corruption remains an issue. Whilst inflation has fallen, economic momentum is moderating and the country’s high dependence on…

Home care sales grew strongly in 2023 though demand dipped for products that disinfect surfaces, such as bleach, floor cleaners and surface care. El Salvador relies heavily on imports to meet domestic demand therefore rising global commodity prices…

Inflationary pressures and raw material shortages impacted the retail prices of tissue and hygiene in 2023, though to a lesser extent than in 2022. Lower purchasing power forced consumers to reduce their spending and seek out local brands and private…

In 2022 retail in El Salvador rebounded. Stronger macroeconomic indicators and a full return to pre-pandemic lifestyles boosted consumer demand, especially among wealthier shoppers. However, high inflation, widespread informal retailing and a…

Despite ongoing inflationary pressures, sales of beauty and personal care in El Salvador in 2023 continued to grow. Products such as shampoo and toothpaste benefited from regular usage and more dynamic promotions, while pack sizes polarised between…

Snacks is set to see modest growth in 2023 due to rising prices caused by inflationary pressures and increasing prices of raw materials, with imported brands being especially affected. Lower consumer purchasing frequency will lead to flat volume…

Volume sales of cigarettes declined in 2022 alongside smoking prevalence. While the market is characterised by imported products such as those of Philip Morris and British American Tobacco, despite a strong reduction in contraband, illegal cigarettes…

Volume sales of staple foods saw slow growth in 2023 while values rose due to inflationary pressures. The normalisation of lifestyles in the wake of the pandemic reduced the home cooking trend and lowered demand for products such as shelf stable…

Retail volume sales of soft drinks slowed in 2023 over the previous year, while the on-trade made a return to pre-pandemic levels. Although rising health consciousness supported growth in juice to the detriment of carbonates, carbonates and bottled…

Hot drinks registered a decline in retail volume sales in 2024. Despite some recovery, foodservice failed to reach pre-pandemic levels. Coffee is the largest category due to local cultivation and the popularity of specialist coffee shops. This mature…

Sales growth of consumer health in El Salvador in 2023 varied across categories. While OTC performed well, growing at above inflation, preventive health categories such as vitamins, dietary supplements and weight management recorded significant…

Sales of alcoholic drinks continued to rebound in 2022. The on-trade benefited from the full lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and the resumption of pre-pandemic lifestyles. Beer and spirits remain the largest categories, while wine sales remain low.…

Sales of dairy products and alternatives achieved only moderate growth in 2023. However, the market was affected by inflationary pressures, particularly in the prices of imported products such as milk formula, a category that is solely dependent on…

Sales of cooking ingredients and meals rose marginally in volume terms in 2023 as the home cooking trend experienced during the pandemic faded dramatically. Inflationary pressures and economic uncertainty stimulated growing price sensitivity which…

Driven by natural increase, El Salvador’s population will expand at a slower pace than the Latin America region overall in 2021-2040. Meanwhile, net migration will remain negative as many emigrate. An acceleration of the ageing trend will impact…

The number of households is set to increase slightly in El Salvador over 2022-2027, with couples with children remaining the dominant household type. In 2022 household spending was affected by inflation, which stood at 7.2% elevating living costs.…

This report assesses the business environment in El Salvador, focusing on the regulatory environment, stability of the financial system, FDI intake, labour market flexibility and skillset, trade openness, mobility infrastructure, ICT adoption and…

Insight into income, wealth and expenditure of consumers and households is vital in helping businesses make strategic decisions with regards to which country (or even which region within a country) to enter, which consumer segment to target, which…

The report examines the economic landscape of El Salvador and provides information on major monetary indicators, foreign trade, investments and government finance. The economy in El Salvador expanded in real terms in 2022, driven by increasing…