El Salvador

U.S.-El Salvador Trade Facts

El Salvador is currently our 61st largest goods trading partner with $4.7 billion in total (two way) goods trade during 2008. Goods exports totaled $2.5 billion; Goods imports totaled $2.2 billion. The U.S. goods trade surplus with El Salvador was $234 million in 2008.

Exports

El Salvador was the United States' 59th largest goods export market in 2008.

U.S. goods exports to El Salvador in 2008 were $2.5 billion, up 6.4% ($149 million) from 2007, and up 164% from 1994 (the year prior to Uruguay Round). U.S. exports to El Salvador are up 32.8% from 2005 (Pre-FTA).

The top export categories (2-digit HS) in 2008 were: Mineral Fuel (oil) ($309 million), Knit and Crocheted Fabrics ($253 million), Cereals (corn and wheat) ($215 million), Machinery ($208 million), and Special Other (low value shipments and articles donated for relief) ($173 million)

U.S. exports of agricultural products to El Salvador totaled $450 million in 2008. Leading categories include: coarse grains ($102 million), wheat ($78 million), soybean meal ($52 million), and cotton ($46 million).

Imports

El Salvador was the United States' 69th largest supplier of goods imports in 2008.

U.S. goods imports from El Salvador totaled $2.2 billion in 2008, up 9.0% ($184 million) from 2007, and up 266% over the last 14 years. U.S. imports from El Salvador are up 12% from 2005 (Pre-FTA).

The five largest import categories in 2008 were: Knit Apparel ($1.3 billion), Woven Apparel ($215 million), Beverages (ethyl alcohol) ($202 million), Spices, Coffee and Tea (coffee) ($122 million), and Special Other (returns) ($80 million).

U.S. imports of agricultural products from El Salvador totaled $238 million in 2008. Leading categories include: coffee (unroasted) ($121 million), and raw beet and can sugar ($56 million).

Trade Balance

The U.S. goods trade surplus with El Salvador was $234 million in 2008, a 13.2% decrease ($36 million) over 2007.

Investment

U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) in El Salvador (stock) was $1.4 billion in 2007 (latest data available), a 116 percent increase from 2006.