In the last five years, coffee has been the driving force of exports in the country, representing on average 78% of the total national production. During the first two months of the current 2023/24 coffee cycle, a significant increase in exports has been observed, with a total of 36,373 quintals of gold exported.

This marks a 50% increase compared to the same period of the previous 2022/23 cycle. In december 2023 and january 2024, a significant reduction in exports was perceived, so that between october 2023 and january 2024 compared to the previous period resulted in a 41.0% decrease in the volume exported.

However, february brought a breath of relief with an exceptional increase in coffee exports. Experiencing a 572% increase compared to the previous month, with a total of 44,422 quintals of gold exported, compared to 6,609 quintals exported in january.

Despite this one-off increase, the total volume of exports during the period october 2023 to february 2024 is still down 38.4% compared to the same period of the previous year, october 2022 to february 2023.

The coffee sector in El Salvador is an essential pillar for the economic development of the country, it also contributes significantly to its cultural identity.

Coffee production not only generates important income for many producers, but also triggers a cascade of employment opportunities. In addition, it acts as an engine of development in rural communities by providing an essential livelihood for thousands of families.

Translated by: A.M