El Salvador-Mexico Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $1.53B total volume •El Salvador deficit: $1.02B

El SalvadorMexico

$257.08M

Exports (2023)

MexicoEl Salvador

$1.27B

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$1.02B

Deficit for El Salvador

Total Trade

$1.53B

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between El Salvador and Mexico. 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-Mexico commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.

El SalvadorMexico Exports

$257.08M
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
26.9% top product
1Insulated electric conductors: ignition wiring sets and other wiring sets of a kind used in vehicles, aircraft or ships
$69.05M
26.9% of exports
2T-shirts, singlets and other vests: of cotton, knitted or crocheted
$50.88M
19.8% of exports
3Plastics: of polymers of propylene, plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials
$20.42M
7.9% of exports
4Petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils
$17.90M
7.0% of exports
5Cases and containers: n.e.c. in heading 4202, of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard, or wholly or mainly covered with such materials or with paper
$11.96M
4.7% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

El Salvador's export portfolio to Mexico demonstrates strategic specialization, with insulated electric conductors: ignition wiring sets and other wiring sets of a kind used in vehicles, aircraft or ships representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

MexicoEl Salvador Imports

$1.27B
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
3.6% concentration
1Reception apparatus for television, whether or not incorporating radio-broadcast receivers or sound or video recording or reproducing apparatus: incorporating a colour video display or screen
$45.32M
3.6% of imports
2Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc
$40.26M
3.2% of imports
3Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale
$37.53M
2.9% of imports
4Perfumes and toilet waters
$27.78M
2.2% of imports
5Vehicles: compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a gvw not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in item no 8704.1
$26.45M
2.1% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

El Salvador's import pattern from Mexico reveals significant dependencyin reception apparatus for television, whether or not incorporating radio-broadcast receivers or sound or video recording or reproducing apparatus: incorporating a colour video display or screen, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

El Salvador demonstrates competitive strength in exportinginsulated electric conductors: ignition wiring sets and other wiring sets of a kind used in vehicles, aircraft or ships to Mexico, leveraging comparative advantages.

Export Leader in 5+ Categories
🔄

Trade Complementarity

The bilateral relationship showsmoderatecomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.

Specialized Exchange
📈

Growth Potential

The $1.53B trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: El Salvador-Mexico Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $1.53 billionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: El Salvador maintains a deficit of $1.02 billion
  • Export Focus: El Salvador's primary exports include insulated electric conductors: ignition wiring sets and other wiring sets of a kind used in vehicles, aircraft or ships, t-shirts, singlets and other vests: of cotton, knitted or crocheted, plastics: of polymers of propylene, plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Mexico include reception apparatus for television, whether or not incorporating radio-broadcast receivers or sound or video recording or reproducing apparatus: incorporating a colour video display or screen, vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc, medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale

Strategic Trade Indicators

Trade IntensityHigh
Export DiversificationConcentrated
Trade Balance HealthImbalanced

📈 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 $1.53B 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 insulated electric conductors: ignition wiring sets and other wiring sets of a kind used in vehicles, aircraft or ships.

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

1

Comparative Advantage

El Salvador's specialization in insulated electric conductors: ignition wiring sets and other wiring sets of a kind used in vehicles, aircraft or shipscomplements Mexico's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in reception apparatus for television, whether or not incorporating radio-broadcast receivers or sound or video recording or reproducing apparatus: incorporating a colour video display or screen.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $1.53B bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyHigh
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $1.53B 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 $1.53 billion bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in insulated electric conductors: ignition wiring sets and other wiring sets of a kind used in vehicles, aircraft or ships and reception apparatus for television, whether or not incorporating radio-broadcast receivers or sound or video recording or reproducing apparatus: incorporating a colour video display or screen demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

El Salvador's trade deficit of $1.02 billion impacts its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.

Balance Impact: Import Dependency

Strategic Future Outlook

🚀Growth Opportunities

Emerging Sectors
Technology transfer and innovation cooperation in t-shirts, singlets and other vests: of cotton, knitted or crocheted present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on reception apparatus for television, whether or not incorporating radio-broadcast receivers or sound or video recording or reproducing apparatus: incorporating a colour video display or screen, new product categories offer potential for trade expansion.

⚠️Risk Factors

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
High trade imbalance may create supply chain risks
Market Competition
Global competition in insulated electric conductors: ignition wiring sets and other wiring sets of a kind used in vehicles, aircraft or ships may affect future market positioning.

🎯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 Mexico represents a total trade volume of $1.53 billion in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for El Salvador, with imports exceeding exportsby $1.02 billion.

Export Strengths

El Salvador's exports to Mexico total $257.08 million, with competitive advantages in insulated electric conductors: ignition wiring sets and other wiring sets of a kind used in vehicles, aircraft or ships, representing $69.05M or26.9% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Mexico amount to $1.27 billion, highlighting economic interdependence in reception apparatus for television, whether or not incorporating radio-broadcast receivers or sound or video recording or reproducing apparatus: incorporating a colour video display or screen, with Reception apparatus for television, whether or not incorporating radio-broadcast receivers or sound or video recording or reproducing apparatus: incorporating a colour video display or screen comprising3.6% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade deficit indicates El Salvador's strategic sourcing from Mexico. 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

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Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) • Last Updated: January 2025 • Coverage: 1995-2023