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El Salvador’s exports to countries with which it has trade agreements grew by 2.4% between january and august 2026, reaching US$4.249 billion. The Corporación de Exportadores de El Salvador (COEXPORT) highlighted this result, emphasizing the importance for companies to understand how to leverage trade agreements to expand their sales in international markets.
The growth in sales to these trading partners reflects the performance of salvadoran exports during the first eight months of the year. Trade agreements offer preferential conditions for specific products, which can facilitate their entry into other countries and improve the competitive standing of domestic firms.
However, the existence of a trade agreement does not, by itself, guarantee export growth. COEXPORT president Silvia Cuéllar noted that companies must understand the conditions of each market and meet the established requirements to take advantage of available benefits. “Trade agreements open the door, but each company must know how to walk through it”, she said.
A fundamental aspect is the correct classification of products intended for export and compliance with rules of origin. These rules determine whether a product meets the criteria to qualify for the tariff preferences provided under a trade agreement. If a company fails to meet the established requirements, it may be unable to access those benefits.
COEXPORT also underscores the importance of researching the characteristics of each destination before beginning operations. Companies must be aware of applicable tariffs, entry requirements, regulations, and market demand, as these conditions vary by country and product type. Such preparation can help mitigate risks and guide better business decision-making.
As part of its training initiatives, the association organized activities featuring specialist Darío Alfaro, which focused on tools for analyzing international markets. These include Trade Map, which allows for the consultation of trade statistics, and Market Access Map, which facilitates the review of tariffs and market access conditions for various markets.
Using these platforms enables exporters to compare destinations, identify commercial opportunities, and assess the requirements they must meet to sell their products abroad. With this information, companies can define strategies for entering new markets based on data rather than relying solely on sales expectations.
COEXPORT aims to help more salvadoran companies take advantage of trade agreements through technical preparation and knowledge of target markets. While exports to partners with whom trade agreements exist totaled US$4.249 billion reflecting 2.4% growth between january and august 2026, the association emphasizes that understanding trade rules is key to transforming these conditions into greater business opportunities.
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