El Salvador

U.S.-El Salvador Trade Facts

El Salvador is currently our 59th largest goods trading partner with $4.7 billion in total (two way) goods trade during 2010. Goods exports totaled $2.4 billion; Goods imports totaled $2.2 billion. The U.S. goods trade surplus with El Salvador was $226 million in 2010.

Exports

El Salvador was the United States' 53rd largest goods export market in 2010.

U.S. goods exports to El Salvador in 2010 were $2.4 billion, up 20.8% ($421 million) from 2009, and up 162% from 1994 (the year prior to Uruguay Round). U.S. exports to El Salvador are up 31.6% from 2005 (Pre-FTA).

The top export categories (2-digit HS) in 2010 were: Mineral Fuel (oil) ($317 million), Machinery ($218 million), Knit Crotched Fabrics ($203 million), Special Other (low value shipments and articles donated for relief) ($193 million), and Cereals (corn and wheat) ($170 million).

U.S. exports of agricultural products to El Salvador totaled $428 million in 2010. Leading categories include: coarse grains ($83 million), cotton ($58 million), soybean meal ($57 million), wheat ($57 million), rice ($29 million).

Imports

El Salvador was the United States' 62nd largest supplier of goods imports in 2010.

U.S. goods imports from El Salvador totaled $2.2 billion in 2010, up 21.5% ($392 million) from 2009, and up 264% over the last 16 years. U.S. imports from El Salvador are up 11.3% from 2005 (Pre-FTA).

The five largest import categories in 2010 were: Knit Apparel ($1.4 billion), Woven Apparel ($209 million), Precious Stones (gold) ($96 million), Sugars ($84 million), and Special Other (returns) ($81 million).

U.S. imports of agricultural products from El Salvador totaled $225 million in 2010. Leading categories include: coffee (unroasted) ($79 million), and raw beet and cane sugar ($49 million).

Trade Balance

The U.S. goods trade surplus with El Salvador was $226 million in 2010, a 14.6% increase ($29 million) over 2009.

Investment

U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) in El Salvador (stock) was $3.5 billion in 2009 (latest data available), a 4.5 percent increase from 2008.

There is no information on the distribution of U.S. FDI in El Salvador.

El Salvador FDI in the United States (stock) was not available in 2009.