After decreases were reported in 2015 and 2016, last year the country raised $11 billion in sales abroad, 5% more than in 2016.
In 2017, sales abroad improved significantly compared to the previous year, rising from $10.449 billion in 2016 to $11 billion in 2017, which represents an increase of 5.3%.
The president of the Bank of Guatemala (Banguat), Sergio Recinos, explained to Elperiodico.com.gt that "... the recovery is associated with improvements in products such as clothing, cardamom, bananas, coffee, fats and oils, iron and oils, rubber, cereals, paper manufactures, petrol and aluminum, among other things."
The union of exporters estimates that between January and November of 2017 they have sold goods and services abroad worth $2.473 billion, 20% more than in the same period in 2016.
According to estimates by the Association of Producers and Exporters of Nicaragua (APEN) during the first 11 months of this year total exports added up to $2.47315 billion, these exceed by 20% the $2.05667 billion recorded in sales abroad in the same period in 2016
Between January and August 2017 exports totaled $3,851 million, 6% more than in the same period in 2016, mainly explained by sugar exports.
From a statement issued by the Central Reserve Bank:
El Salvador's exports amounted to US $3,850.6 million up to August 2017, growing at a rate of 5.7% (US $208.5 million more) compared to the same month in the previous year, the Central Reserve Bank reported.In August alone, exports grew by 8.6%.
Holland was the country that bought the most goods sold by Guatemala to the European Union between January and September, which totaled $684.76 million, 17% more than in the same period in 2013.
The goods most exported to the European Union (EU) are textiles, nickel, vegetables and coffee, with the main destinations being the Netherlands which recorded purchases of $219 million, followed by Belgium with $86 million, Germany with $79.5 million and Spain with $78.6 in the first nine months of the year.
An increase in non- traditional exports offset the fall in foreign sales of traditional products.
According to the report entitled "Trends in Foreign Trade in 2013 in El Salvador" prepared by the Ministry of Economy (Minec) exports in 2013 totaled $5.491 billion, an increase of 2.8 % compared to 2012, when the total figure was $5.339 billion .
$3.908 billion worth of non-traditional products were exported last year, while in 2012 the figure was $3.765 billion. Exports of traditional products were down $42 million, totaling $424.9 million in 2013.
During 2013 foreign sales of 2 thousand tons generated revenues of $6.1 million.
Data from the Ministry of Economy (Minec) reveals that in recent years Salvadoran honey has gained ground especially in the European market. During 2013 foreign sales of the product generated revenues of $6.1 million, which is 29% more than in 2012, when $4.7 million worth was sold.
During the first ten months of 2013 the difference between imports and exports grew by 8.5%, reaching $4.4142 billion.
From a press release issued by the Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador:
Salvadoran exports up to October 2013 amounted to $4.6659 billion, an increase of $161.7 million compared to the same period in 2012, showing a growth rate of 3.6% a year, according to the Department of Studies and Economic Statistics at the Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador.
During the 2013-14 harvest ending on October 31 490,000 metric tons of sugar were exported while in the previous harvest the amount was 412,000 MT.
According to the Sugar Association of El Salvador , the main destinations of the country's raw sugar are the USA, Chile, Russia, Taiwan and Canada. Meanwhile, the refined product is sold to the Netherlands, Chile, Taiwan and other Caribbean countries .
Exports in 2012 were $488.7 million, whereas in 2011 sales totaled $158.8 million.
With the signing of the trade agreement between Central America and the European Union figures are expected to increase further. 13.5% of Panamanian exports are destined for a European country and are surpassed only by South Korea and the U.S.
Services exports have grow by 7.7%; during the first six months of 2013 they totaled $2.9327 billion.
From a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Trade (Comex):
The successful attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) has consolidated the participation of Costa Rican exports services. During the first half of the year, Costa Rican exports of services accounted for $2.9327 billion, showing a growth of 7.7% compared to the same period in 2012, while FDI reached $1.3353 billion.
The total value of sales decreased slightly compared to the previous crop due to low prices paid on the international market.
During the first 11 months of the 2012-13 crop 2.4 million quintals of coffee have been exported, compared to 1.9 million quintals in the previous harvest.
These figures were provided by the Center for Export Procedures (CETREX). Revenue however, declined by 0.3%.
The Exporters Corporation has created a plan to increase exports to $10 billion a year within five years.
Entrepreneurs believe that if the correct measures are applied export earnings could double within five years. According to Pablo Duran, president of the Exporters Association of El Salvador (COEXPORT), the proposal gives potential annual growth of 20%.
During the first six months of 2013 foreign sales totaled $2.822 billion, $151 million more than in the same period in 2012.
From a press release issued by the Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador:
Total exports to June of this year amounted to $2822.2 million, up $150.6 million compared to the same period in 2012, the growth rate was 5.6% per year, with a gradual recovering its dynamism, informed the Office of Economic Studies and Statistics of the Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador.
During the first quarter of 2013, $1.8515 billion came into the country from exports, an increase of 1.8% compared to the same period of 2012.
From a Foreign Trade Report published by the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador:
During the first half of 2013, global economic activity shows signs of economic growth on a smaller scale. While growth projections for future years show a stable trend.