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The Regional Economy report 2023-2024 of the Secretaría de Integración Económica Centroamericana (SIECA) reveals an encouraging outlook for Central America, with an expected growth of 5.8% in the volume of imports of goods and services in 2024. This increase reflects the recovery and dynamism of trade in the region. Projections indicate that countries like Panama and Nicaragua will lead this growth, with rates expected of 8.9% and 7.8%, respectively. Guatemala also shows a positive performance of 6.5%, while Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic will continue to rise, although with more moderate figures.
In 2023, the region experienced a 4.2% increase in imports, driven by key products such as hydraulic cements, with an annual increase of 33.2%, and rice, which rose 32.4%. Significant increases were also recorded in briquettes and fuels, as well as chemical oils and fertilizers. This momentum is expected to continue in the coming years, highlighting the resilience of the Central American economy to external challenges.
By 2025, although a slight slowdown is expected, with growth projected at 5.5%, the trend remains positive. Rates will remain sustained in several countries, with Honduras and Guatemala showing a slight increase in their imports.
The Central American economy shows signs of recovery and growth, with active trade benefiting several sectors, positioning the region to face the coming years with an encouraging outlook.
