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El Salvador’s imports totaled US$1,697.17 million in September 2026, an increase of US$53.39 million, or 3.2%, compared to the US$1,643.78 million recorded in august, according to preliminary data from the Banco Central de Reserva (BCR).
The monthly increase was driven primarily by external purchases of agricultural and manufactured products. Compared to september 2025, imports also showed growth of US$197.48 million, or 13.2%, up from the US$1,499.69 million recorded during that period.
Agriculture and manufacturing drove the monthly rise
The agriculture, livestock, forestry, and fishing sector recorded one of the largest monthly increases. Its imports rose from US$48.70 million in august to US$75.14 million in September, an increase of US$26.44 million, or 54.3%.
Meanwhile, the manufacturing sector accounted for the largest share of imports and contributed to the monthly growth. This sector’s imports rose from US$1,545.05 million in august to US$1,565.02 million in september, an increase of US$19.97 million, or 1.3%.
The mining and quarry sector also showed a significant increase in percentage terms. Imports for this activity rose from US$1.63 million in august to US$11.22 million in September, an additional US$9.59 million, representing a 588.3% change. Other sectors saw an increase, while the maquila sector declined.
The supply of electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning recorded an increase of US$0.29 million, rising from US$3.22 million in august to US$3.51 million in September, an increase of 9%.
In contrast, the trade and motor vehicle repair sector saw its imports fall from US$7.51 million to US$6.99 million, a decrease of US$0.52 million, equivalent to 6.9%.
The maquila manufacturing industry also recorded a monthly decline. Its imports fell from US$37.67 million in august to US$35.30 million in september, a decrease of US$2.37 million, or 6.3%. Among the sectors detailed in the data, none saw their import values remain unchanged.
Imports grew by US$197.48 million over the course of a year
Comparing september 2026 to the same month in 2025, the manufacturing industries recorded the largest increase in value. Their imports rose from US$1,380.32 million to US$1,565.02 million, an additional US$184.70 million, representing a 13.4% increase.
The agriculture, livestock, forestry, and fishing sector also showed year-over-year growth. External purchases increased from US$49.29 million in september 2025 to US$75.14 million in september 2026, a difference of US$25.85 million, or 52.4%.
The electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply sector grew from US$0.83 million to US$3.51 million, an increase of US$2.68 million, or 322.9%. Similarly, the trade and motor vehicle repair sector rose from US$5.29 million to US$6.99 million an increase of US$1.70 million, or 32.1%.
Mining and the maquila sector recorded year-on-year declines
Not all sectors saw an increase in imports compared to september 2025. The mining and quarrying sector reduced its external purchases from US$23.47 million to US$11.22 million, a decrease of US$12.25 million, or 52.2%.
The maquila manufacturing industry also recorded a year-on-year decline, falling from US$40.50 million in september 2025 to US$35.30 million in september 2026. This represents a difference of US$5.20 million, equivalent to a 12.8% reduction.
In september, salvadoran exports totaled US$563.74 million, while imports reached US$1,697.17 million. The difference between these two figures resulted in a trade deficit of US$1,133.43 million, according to data from the BCR.
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