
The food and beverage industry continues to consolidate its position as one of the most dynamic and strategic sectors of the salvadoran economy, currently representing 39.6% of the country’s industrial Gross Domestic Product (GDP), reported the Asociación Salvadoreña de Industriales during the official presentation of the 2026 Congreso Industrial de Alimentos y Bebidas (CIAB) 2026.
The event will take place on may 27 and 28 at the Sheraton Presidente Hotel and will bring together representatives from one of the sectors with the greatest impact on El Salvador’s production, exports, and economic growth.
During the presentation, ASI representative Ana Esther Martell explained that this will be the seventh edition of CIAB, a congress that seeks to strengthen the food industry through training opportunities, knowledge exchange, and the creation of strategic alliances.

“The Food and Beverage Industry Congress has established itself as a strategic platform for one of the most dynamic and relevant sectors of national industry”, Martell said.
The representative also highlighted the key role the food sector plays in El Salvador’s productive system, both for its economic contribution and its capacity to generate employment and industrial development.
CIAB 2026 will feature specialized conferences, business meetings, and a technical fair aimed at promoting innovation, sustainability, and new business opportunities for participating companies.
Among the featured presentations is “Reputation and Purpose as a Competitive Advantage in the Food Industry”, which will be given by Jaime Oriani, representative of Corporación Multi Inversiones and director of ASI.

Oriani emphasized the importance of the food and beverage industry to the national economy, noting that its contribution to the industrial GDP reflects the sector’s dynamism and strategic importance.
“The food and beverage sector is important for the industrial GDP because it represents just over 39% of the country’s industrial GDP”, he said.
He also indicated that the private sector is interested in continuing to promote economic, social, and sustainable growth through initiatives that strengthen the competitiveness of national industry.
As part of the congress, a technical fair will also be held where various companies will showcase products, services, technologies, and specialized solutions for the food and beverage sector.

This space will allow business owners, entrepreneurs, and industry representatives to network, strengthen business relationships, and explore business opportunities within the food production chain.
The Asociación Salvadoreña de Industriales emphasized that the goal of CIAB is to continue promoting the sector’s development through knowledge-based tools, innovation, and business networking that contribute to the country’s economic growth.
They also noted that these types of events allow for the identification of global trends, the strengthening of technical capabilities, and the promotion of modernization in an industry that plays a significant role in exports and national production.

The food and beverage sector is considered one of El Salvador’s main industrial drivers due to its contribution to national production, job creation, and foreign trade.
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