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El Salvador’s goods exports totaled US$555.62 million in may 2016, a 4.9% decrease compared to april, when they reached US$584.39 million, according to data from the Banco Central de Reserva (BCR).
Despite the overall drop in export value, some sectors showed improved performance during the month. The strongest growth was observed in the maquila manufacturing industry, whose exports rose from US$71.46 million in April to US$75.12 million in may, representing a 5.1% increase.
Within manufacturing activity, the “other products” component also stood out, increasing from US$404.81 million to US$439.82 million, an 8.7% growth, although total manufacturing output declined by 6.5%, falling from US$481.22 million to US$449.89 million.
In contrast, several sectors registered declines during the period. Exports of agriculture, livestock, forestry, and fishing products fell by 2.7%, from US$28.59 million to US$27.81 million.
Mining and quarrying saw the largest percentage drop of the month, with a 66.7% reduction, decreasing from US$0.12 million to US$0.04 million.
Meanwhile, the electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply sector fell 8.2%, from US$2.07 million to US$1.90 million.
Wholesale and retail trade, including vehicle and motorcycle repair, remained virtually stable, although with a slight decrease from US$0.93 million to US$0.85 million, equivalent to an 8.6% change due to its reduced export volume.
Comparison with may 2025
Year-on-year, exports also reflected a reduction. In may 2026, the country exported US$555.62 million, compared to US$585.06 million in may 2025, representing a 5.0% decrease.
Manufacturing industries, which continue to be the country’s main export sector, decreased by 3.7%, going from US$467.30 million in may 2025 to US$449.89 million in may 2026.
The maquila manufacturing industry also registered a year-on-year decrease of 12.9%, falling from US$86.27 million to US$75.12 million.
In contrast, agriculture, livestock, forestry, and fishing increased by 3.4%, rising from US$26.90 million to US$27.81 million, while wholesale and retail trade grew by 25.0%, albeit from a reduced export base.
Exports from mining and quarrying decreased by 50.0%, and those from the supply of electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning fell by 50.3% compared to may of the previous year.
According to data from the BCR although total exports decreased both month-over-month and year-over-year, the maquila manufacturing sector showed the best performance between april and may 2016, while most other economic activities registered declines or minimal changes.
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