El Salvador

El Salvador

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El Salvador-Nicaragua Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $996.76M total volume •El Salvador surplus: $27.78M

El SalvadorNicaragua

$512.27M

Exports (2023)

NicaraguaEl Salvador

$484.49M

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$27.78M

Surplus for El Salvador

Total Trade

$996.76M

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

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

El SalvadorNicaragua Exports

$512.27M
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
5.4% top product
1Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, n.e.c. in heading no. 2711
$27.81M
5.4% of exports
2Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale
$24.74M
4.8% of exports
3Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, propane
$20.79M
4.1% of exports
4Ethylene polymers: sacks and bags (including cones), for the conveyance or packing of goods
$20.53M
4.0% of exports
5Steel, alloy: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, n.e.c. in heading no. 7225, (other than plated or coated with zinc)
$19.77M
3.9% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

El Salvador's export portfolio to Nicaragua demonstrates strategic specialization, with petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, n.e.c. in heading no. 2711 representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

NicaraguaEl Salvador Imports

$484.49M
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
23.9% concentration
1Meat: of bovine animals, boneless cuts, fresh or chilled
$115.61M
23.9% of imports
2Dairy produce: cheese, processed (not grated or powdered)
$86.87M
17.9% of imports
3Vegetables, leguminous: kidney beans, including white pea beans (phaseolus vulgaris), shelled, whether or not skinned or split, dried
$42.66M
8.8% of imports
4Dairy produce: cheese (not grated, powdered or processed), n.e.c. in heading no. 0406
$37.00M
7.6% of imports
5Dairy produce: fresh cheese (including whey cheese), not fermented, and curd
$35.79M
7.4% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

El Salvador's import pattern from Nicaragua reveals strategic sourcingin meat: of bovine animals, boneless cuts, fresh or chilled, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

El Salvador demonstrates competitive strength in exportingpetroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, n.e.c. in heading no. 2711 to Nicaragua, leveraging comparative advantages.

Export Leader in 5+ Categories
🔄

Trade Complementarity

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

Highly Balanced
📈

Growth Potential

The $996.76M trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: El Salvador-Nicaragua Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $996.76 millionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: El Salvador maintains a surplus of $27.78 million
  • Export Focus: El Salvador's primary exports include petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, n.e.c. in heading no. 2711, medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale, petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, propane
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Nicaragua include meat: of bovine animals, boneless cuts, fresh or chilled, dairy produce: cheese, processed (not grated or powdered), vegetables, leguminous: kidney beans, including white pea beans (phaseolus vulgaris), shelled, whether or not skinned or split, dried

Strategic Trade Indicators

Trade IntensityHigh
Export DiversificationConcentrated
Trade Balance HealthBalanced

📈 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 $996.76M 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 petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, n.e.c. in heading no. 2711.

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 petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, n.e.c. in heading no. 2711complements Nicaragua's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in meat: of bovine animals, boneless cuts, fresh or chilled.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $996.76M bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyModerate
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $996.76M 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 $996.76 million bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, n.e.c. in heading no. 2711 and meat: of bovine animals, boneless cuts, fresh or chilled demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

El Salvador's trade surplus of $27.78 million strengthens its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.

Balance Impact: Well Balanced

Strategic Future Outlook

🚀Growth Opportunities

Emerging Sectors
Technology transfer and innovation cooperation in medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on meat: of bovine animals, boneless cuts, fresh or chilled, new product categories offer potential for trade expansion.

⚠️Risk Factors

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
Moderate concentration in key sectors requires monitoring
Market Competition
Global competition in petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, n.e.c. in heading no. 2711 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 Nicaragua represents a total trade volume of $996.76 million in 2023. This partnership demonstrates a favorable trade balance for El Salvador, with exports exceeding importsby $27.78 million.

Export Strengths

El Salvador's exports to Nicaragua total $512.27 million, with competitive advantages in petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, n.e.c. in heading no. 2711, representing $27.81M or5.4% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Nicaragua amount to $484.49 million, highlighting economic interdependence in meat: of bovine animals, boneless cuts, fresh or chilled, with Meat: of bovine animals, boneless cuts, fresh or chilled comprising23.9% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade surplus indicates El Salvador's competitive position in this bilateral relationship. 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 Nicaragua in multiple formats.

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