El Salvador

El Salvador

View Profile →

Nicaragua-El Salvador Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $996.76M total volume •Nicaragua deficit: $27.78M

NicaraguaEl Salvador

$484.49M

Exports (2023)

El SalvadorNicaragua

$512.27M

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$27.78M

Deficit for Nicaragua

Total Trade

$996.76M

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between Nicaragua and El Salvador. Green line shows exports from Nicaragua, red line shows imports.

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the Nicaragua-El Salvador commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.

NicaraguaEl Salvador Exports

$484.49M
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

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

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

Nicaragua's export portfolio to El Salvador demonstrates strategic specialization, with meat: of bovine animals, boneless cuts, fresh or chilled representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

El SalvadorNicaragua Imports

$512.27M
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
5.4% concentration
1Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, n.e.c. in heading no. 2711
$27.81M
5.4% 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
$24.74M
4.8% of imports
3Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, propane
$20.79M
4.1% of imports
4Ethylene polymers: sacks and bags (including cones), for the conveyance or packing of goods
$20.53M
4.0% of imports
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 imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

Nicaragua's import pattern from El Salvador reveals strategic sourcingin petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, n.e.c. in heading no. 2711, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

Nicaragua demonstrates competitive strength in exportingmeat: of bovine animals, boneless cuts, fresh or chilled to El Salvador, 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: Nicaragua-El Salvador Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $996.76 millionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: Nicaragua maintains a deficit of $27.78 million
  • Export Focus: Nicaragua's primary exports 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
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from El Salvador 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

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 Nicaragua leveraging its comparative advantages in meat: of bovine animals, boneless cuts, fresh or chilled.

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

Nicaragua's specialization in meat: of bovine animals, boneless cuts, fresh or chilledcomplements El Salvador's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, n.e.c. in heading no. 2711.

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

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

Nicaragua's trade deficit of $27.78 million impacts 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 dairy produce: cheese, processed (not grated or powdered) present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, n.e.c. in heading no. 2711, 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 meat: of bovine animals, boneless cuts, fresh or chilled 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 Nicaragua and El Salvador represents a total trade volume of $996.76 million in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for Nicaragua, with imports exceeding exportsby $27.78 million.

Export Strengths

Nicaragua's exports to El Salvador total $484.49 million, with competitive advantages in meat: of bovine animals, boneless cuts, fresh or chilled, representing $115.61M or23.9% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from El Salvador amount to $512.27 million, highlighting economic interdependence in petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, n.e.c. in heading no. 2711, with Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, n.e.c. in heading no. 2711 comprising5.4% of total imports.

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

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