El Salvador-Spain Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $264.53M total volume •El Salvador deficit: $85.53M

El SalvadorSpain

$89.50M

Exports (2023)

SpainEl Salvador

$175.03M

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$85.53M

Deficit for El Salvador

Total Trade

$264.53M

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

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

El SalvadorSpain Exports

$89.50M
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
53.4% top product
1Fish preparations: tunas, skipjack and Atlantic bonito (sarda spp.), prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)
$47.75M
53.4% of exports
2Petroleum 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
$18.51M
20.7% of exports
3Fish: frozen, skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99
$7.52M
8.4% of exports
4Sugars: sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter
$6.56M
7.3% of exports
5Fish: frozen, bigeye tunas (Thunnus obesus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99
$2.43M
2.7% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

El Salvador's export portfolio to Spain 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.

SpainEl Salvador Imports

$175.03M
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
9.6% concentration
1Copper: wire, of refined copper, of which the maximum cross-sectional dimension exceeds 6mm
$16.74M
9.6% of imports
2Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale
$12.38M
7.1% of imports
3Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308
$5.92M
3.4% of imports
4Perfumes and toilet waters
$4.01M
2.3% of imports
5Petroleum 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
$3.64M
2.1% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

El Salvador's import pattern from Spain reveals strategic sourcingin copper: wire, of refined copper, of which the maximum cross-sectional dimension exceeds 6mm, 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 Spain, 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 $264.53M trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: El Salvador-Spain Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $264.53 millionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: El Salvador maintains a deficit of $85.53 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), petroleum 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, fish: frozen, skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Spain include copper: wire, of refined copper, of which the maximum cross-sectional dimension exceeds 6mm, medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale, iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308

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 $264.53M 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

1

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 Spain's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in copper: wire, of refined copper, of which the maximum cross-sectional dimension exceeds 6mm.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $264.53M bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyHigh
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $264.53M 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 $264.53 million bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

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 copper: wire, of refined copper, of which the maximum cross-sectional dimension exceeds 6mm demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

El Salvador's trade deficit of $85.53 million 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 petroleum 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 present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on copper: wire, of refined copper, of which the maximum cross-sectional dimension exceeds 6mm, 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 fish preparations: tunas, skipjack and atlantic bonito (sarda spp.), prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced) 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 Spain represents a total trade volume of $264.53 million in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for El Salvador, with imports exceeding exportsby $85.53 million.

Export Strengths

El Salvador's exports to Spain total $89.50 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 $47.75M or53.4% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Spain amount to $175.03 million, highlighting economic interdependence in copper: wire, of refined copper, of which the maximum cross-sectional dimension exceeds 6mm, with Copper: wire, of refined copper, of which the maximum cross-sectional dimension exceeds 6mm comprising9.6% of total imports.

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

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