El Salvador-Italy Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023
Complete trade statistics: $154.55M total volume •El Salvador deficit: $95.57M
El Salvador → Italy
$29.49M
Exports (2023)
Italy → El Salvador
$125.06M
Imports (2023)
Trade Balance
$95.57M
Deficit for El Salvador
Total Trade
$154.55M
Combined Volume
Trade Flow Visualization
Direct trade relationship between El Salvador and Italy. Green line shows exports from El Salvador, red line shows imports.
Detailed Product Trade Analysis
Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the El Salvador-Italy commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.
El Salvador → Italy Exports
Export Market Intelligence
🎯 Strategic Export Focus
El Salvador's export portfolio to Italy demonstrates strategic specialization, with fish preparations: tunas, skipjack and atlantic bonito (sarda spp.), prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced) representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.
Italy → El Salvador Imports
Import Dependency Profile
📦 Import Strategy Analysis
El Salvador's import pattern from Italy reveals significant dependencyin paper and paperboard: coated, impregnated or covered with plastics (excluding adhesives), other than bleached and weighing more than 150g/m2, other than goods of heading no. 4803, 4809, or 4810, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.
Competitive Trade Position Analysis
Market Leadership
El Salvador demonstrates competitive strength in exportingfish preparations: tunas, skipjack and atlantic bonito (sarda spp.), prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced) to Italy, leveraging comparative advantages.
Trade Complementarity
The bilateral relationship showsmoderatecomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.
Growth Potential
The $154.55M trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.
Executive Summary: El Salvador-Italy Trade Relationship
Key Trade Highlights 2023
- Total Trade Volume: $154.55 millionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
- Trade Balance: El Salvador maintains a deficit of $95.57 million
- Export Focus: El Salvador's primary exports include fish preparations: tunas, skipjack and atlantic bonito (sarda spp.), prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced), coffee: not roasted or decaffeinated, sugars: sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter
- Import Dependencies: Key imports from Italy include paper and paperboard: coated, impregnated or covered with plastics (excluding adhesives), other than bleached and weighing more than 150g/m2, other than goods of heading no. 4803, 4809, or 4810, printing machinery: gravure, printing machinery: parts and accessories, n.e.c. in item no. 8443.91
Strategic Trade Indicators
📈 Market Position: This bilateral trade relationship represents an important regional trade partnerships, with complementary economic strengths driving sustained commercial exchange.
Historical Trade Analysis & Economic Context
Trade Evolution Timeline
2019-2023: Recent Trends
Current trade volume of $154.55M represents the culmination of evolving bilateral commercial relationships, influenced by global supply chain shifts and changing economic priorities.
2015-2019: Growth Period
Sustained expansion in bilateral trade driven by complementary economic structures, with El Salvador leveraging its comparative advantages in fish preparations: tunas, skipjack and atlantic bonito (sarda spp.), prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced).
2010-2015: Foundation Building
Establishment of modern trade frameworks and reduction of barriers, facilitating increased commercial exchange and investment flows between the two economies.
Pre-2010: Early Development
Initial stages of bilateral trade relationship development, with focus on traditional export-import patterns and gradual market integration.
Key Economic Drivers
Comparative Advantage
El Salvador's specialization in fish preparations: tunas, skipjack and atlantic bonito (sarda spp.), prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)complements Italy's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.
Supply Chain Integration
Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in paper and paperboard: coated, impregnated or covered with plastics (excluding adhesives), other than bleached and weighing more than 150g/m2, other than goods of heading no. 4803, 4809, or 4810.
Market Access & Trade Policy
Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $154.55M bilateral relationship.
Trade Pattern Insights
Trade Relationship Outlook
The $154.55M bilateral trade volume positions this relationship for continued growth, supported by technological advancement, evolving consumer preferences, and strengthening economic ties. Key opportunities lie in expanding cooperation in emerging sectors while managing potential supply chain vulnerabilities.
Economic Impact & Strategic Outlook
Economic Impact Assessment
Trade Volume Impact
The $154.55 million bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.
Industrial Integration
Trade flows in fish preparations: tunas, skipjack and atlantic bonito (sarda spp.), prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced) and paper and paperboard: coated, impregnated or covered with plastics (excluding adhesives), other than bleached and weighing more than 150g/m2, other than goods of heading no. 4803, 4809, or 4810 demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.
Trade Balance Effects
El Salvador's trade deficit of $95.57 million impacts its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.
Strategic Future Outlook
🚀Growth Opportunities
⚠️Risk Factors
🎯Strategic Recommendations
- Strengthen cooperation in high-value sectors beyond current trade patterns
- Develop alternative supply chains to reduce dependency risks
- Explore joint ventures in emerging technology sectors
- Enhance trade facilitation and reduce transaction costs
Market Position & Competitive Summary
The bilateral trade relationship between El Salvador and Italy represents a total trade volume of $154.55 million in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for El Salvador, with imports exceeding exportsby $95.57 million.
Export Strengths
El Salvador's exports to Italy total $29.49 million, with competitive advantages in fish preparations: tunas, skipjack and atlantic bonito (sarda spp.), prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced), representing $11.10M or37.7% of bilateral exports.
Import Dependencies
Imports from Italy amount to $125.06 million, highlighting economic interdependence in paper and paperboard: coated, impregnated or covered with plastics (excluding adhesives), other than bleached and weighing more than 150g/m2, other than goods of heading no. 4803, 4809, or 4810, with Paper and paperboard: coated, impregnated or covered with plastics (excluding adhesives), other than bleached and weighing more than 150g/m2, other than goods of heading no. 4803, 4809, or 4810 comprising6.3% of total imports.
The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade deficit indicates El Salvador's strategic sourcing from Italy. This partnership is characterized by complementary trade flows, with each country specializing in different product categories based on their respective economic strengths, industrial capabilities, and position in global value chains.
Download Bilateral Trade Data
Access detailed trade data between El Salvador and Italy in multiple formats.
Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) • Last Updated: January 2025 • Coverage: 1995-2023