Skip to main content

El Salvador

Latin America and the Caribbean Subscribe to El Salvador reports
El Salvador
El Salvador flag El Salvador flag
Latest food security analysis

Contact us with any questions about El Salvador food security analysis availability.

Key messages
Key Message Update May - September 2026 Irregular start to primera season with atypical temperatures and rainfall Download report
  • From May to September 2026, Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes are expected to be widespread across El Salvador as household food stocks decline and market reliance increases amid above-average staple grain prices and below-average primera agricultural labor opportunities. An increasing proportion of poor households — particularly in the Western and Eastern Dry Corridor — are likely to face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes. Smallholder farmers in these areas have already exhausted food stocks, face reduced income, and have limited coping capacity due to increasingly erratic rainfall and recurrent below-average harvests. As a result, purchasing power will remain constrained, and land-poor and labor-dependent households are likely to increase their reliance on both sustainable and unsustainable coping strategies to meet basic food needs.
  • In May, staple food availability remains adequate; however, persistently above-average maize prices continue to constrain food access for poor households dependent on market purchases. In April, wholesale prices for beans and rice remained broadly stable and close to the five-year average in most markets. Wholesale white maize prices, while stable month-on-month, remained above both last year’s levels and the five-year average. In the Gerardo Barrios reference market in San Salvador, white maize prices were 21 percent higher than the previous year and 17 percent above the five-year average. El Salvador’s high dependence on white maize imports and below-average import volumes throughout much of 2025, combined with elevated production and transportation costs, is likely to sustain upward pressure on maize prices, limiting purchasing power and exacerbating the lean season.
  • At the onset of the rainy season, cumulative rainfall has been below average across much of eastern El Salvador, compounded by above-average temperatures in recent weeks. While the primera planting window runs between mid-May and June, government recommendations have promoted earlier planting (late April to early May), if adequate soil moisture conditions are verified before sowing. Forecasts indicate below-average rainfall and above-average temperatures will persist, alongside a prolonged and intensified canícula during July and August, which early planting could help mitigate. These conditions are likely to reduce soil moisture, disrupt crop development (particularly rainfed maize), increase the likelihood of pests and diseases, and limit primera yields for non-irrigated smallholder farmers, especially in the Dry Corridor. Although agricultural labor demand typically rises in May with the start of the primera season, high input costs and anticipated planting delays are expected to reduce staple-crop labor demand and maintain below-average income.
  • Volatile global fuel prices are likely to gradually increase transportation and agricultural production costs, contributing to additional upward pressure on food prices. In April, gasoline and diesel prices increased by approximately 12-16 percent compared to March and are expected to remain elevated due to global supply disruptions and El Salvador’s dependence on fuel imports. Fertilizer is expected to remain generally available through commercial suppliers and the government‑subsidized fertilizer sales and distribution centers; however, higher fuel and fertilizer prices, along with price transmission effects and market speculation, are likely to increase agricultural input costs and limit fertilizer application rates. This will likely further erode household purchasing power, particularly for smallholder farmers purchasing inputs for the start of the postrera planting season.
Actualización de mensajes clave Mayo - Septiembre 2026 Inicio irregular de la temporada de Primera debido a temperaturas y precipitaciones atípicas Download report
  • De mayo a septiembre de 2026, se prevé que los resultados de Estrés (Fase 2, CIF) sean generalizados en todo El Salvador, a medida que disminuyan las reservas alimentarias de los hogares y aumente la dependencia de los mercados en un contexto de precios de los granos básicos superiores al promedio y oportunidades de empleo agrícola de Primera por debajo de lo habitual. Se espera que una proporción creciente de hogares pobres, particularmente en el Corredor Seco Occidental y Oriental, enfrente resultados de Crisis (Fase 3, CIF). Los pequeños productores de estas zonas ya han agotado sus reservas de alimentos, se enfrentan ingresos reducidos y tienen una capacidad de respuesta limitada debido a precipitaciones cada vez más erráticas y cosechas recurrentemente inferiores al promedio. Como resultado, el poder adquisitivo seguirá restringido y es probable que los hogares con escasa tierra y dependientes de la mano de obra incrementen su dependencia tanto de estrategias de afrontamiento sostenibles como no sostenibles para cubrir sus necesidades alimentarias básicas. 
  • En mayo, la disponibilidad de alimentos básicos sigue siendo adecuada; sin embargo, los precios persistentemente superiores al promedio del maíz continúan limitando el acceso a los alimentos para los hogares pobres dependientes de las compras en el mercado. En abril, los precios mayoristas de los frijoles y el arroz se mantuvieron en general estables y cercanos al promedio de cinco años en la mayoría de los mercados. Los precios mayoristas del maíz blanco, aunque estables respecto al mes anterior, permanecieron por encima de los niveles del año pasado y del promedio quinquenal. En el mercado de referencia Gerardo Barrios de San Salvador, los precios del maíz blanco fueron 21 por ciento más altos que el año anterior y 17 por ciento superiores al promedio de cinco años. La alta dependencia de El Salvador de las importaciones de maíz blanco y los volúmenes de importación inferiores al promedio durante gran parte de 2025, junto con los elevados costos de producción y transporte, probablemente mantendrán la presión al alza sobre los precios del maíz, limitando el poder adquisitivo y agravando la temporada de escasez. 
  • Al inicio de la temporada lluviosa, las precipitaciones acumuladas han sido inferiores al promedio en gran parte del oriente de El Salvador, agravado por temperaturas superiores al promedio en las últimas semanas. Si bien el período de siembra de Primera se extiende entre mediados de mayo y junio, las recomendaciones gubernamentales han promovido una siembra más temprana (de finales de abril a inicios de mayo), siempre que se verifiquen condiciones adecuadas de humedad del suelo antes de la siembra. Los pronósticos indican que continuarán las precipitaciones por debajo del promedio y las temperaturas por encima de lo normal, junto con una canícula más prolongada e intensa durante julio y agosto, cuyos efectos podrían mitigarse parcialmente mediante la siembra temprana. Es probable que estas condiciones reduzcan la humedad del suelo, interrumpen el desarrollo de los cultivos (particularmente del maíz de secano), aumenten la probabilidad de plagas y enfermedades y limiten los rendimientos de Primera para los pequeños agricultores de secano, especialmente en el Corredor Seco. Si bien la demanda de mano de obra agrícola normalmente aumenta en mayo con el inicio de la temporada de Primera, se prevé que los altos costos de los insumos y los retrasos previstos en la siembra reduzcan la demanda de mano de obra para los cultivos básicos y mantengan los ingresos por debajo del promedio. 
  • Es probable que la volatilidad de los precios internacionales de los combustibles incremente gradualmente los costos de transporte y producción agrícola, contribuyendo a una presión adicional al alza sobre los precios de los alimentos. En abril, los precios de la gasolina y el diésel aumentaron aproximadamente entre 12 y 16 por ciento en comparación con marzo y se espera que permanezcan elevados debido a las interrupciones en el suministro mundial y a la dependencia de El Salvador de las importaciones de combustibles. Se prevé que los fertilizantes sigan estando generalmente disponibles a través de proveedores comerciales y de los centros gubernamentales de venta y distribución subsidiada; sin embargo, es probable que los mayores precios de los combustibles y fertilizantes, junto con los efectos de transmisión de precios y la especulación de mercado, incrementen los costos de los insumos agrícolas y limiten las tasas de aplicación de fertilizantes. Es probable que esto erosione aún más el poder adquisitivo de los hogares, particularmente de los pequeños agricultores que adquieren insumos para el inicio de la temporada de siembra de Postrera. 
More analysis reports View all El Salvador food security analysis reports
Monthly analysis
Food Security Outlook Update El Salvador April - September 2026
Key Message Update El Salvador March - September 2026
Food Security Outlook El Salvador February - September 2026
Alerts / special reports
Special Report Global May 1, 2025
Monthly analysis
Food Security Outlook Update El Salvador April - September 2026
Key Message Update El Salvador March - September 2026
Food Security Outlook El Salvador February - September 2026
Alerts / special reports
Special Report Global May 1, 2025
Explore food security analysis data
Description

The FEWS NET Data Explorer hosts the widest range of FEWS NET data for download or extract via API. The Data Explorer requires a free user account for access.

FEWS NET–style food security map of East Africa showing crisis severity by color, with conflict icons and alerts across Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya.
Acute Food Insecurity Area-Level Classifications

FEWS NET produces IPC-compatible area-level acute food insecurity classifications monthly for FEWS NET reporting countries. This data is available as spatial files, tabular files, and map images. It is a key output of FEWS NET integrated food security analysis and is reported in our Food Security Outlooks and Outlook Updates (FSO/U) and Key Message Updates (KMU).

View files (spatial and image) Go to Data Explorer
Map of East Africa with large colored circles over Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, and South Sudan indicating comparative regional metrics; capitals labeled.
Acutely Food Insecure Population Estimates

These estimates reflect the total population estimated to face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse acute food insecurity outcomes, including those who are receiving humanitarian food assistance and those who are not. This tabular data is a key output of FEWS NET integrated food security analysis and is reported in our FSOs, global Food Assistance Outlook Briefs (FAOB), and semi-annual global Peak Food Assistance Needs Outlook Briefs.

Go to Data Explorer
Markets and trade resources
Description

Access FEWS NET’s market price data and analysis, plus trade flow maps.

Learn more about markets and trade
Monthly Global Price Watch reports

This report provides the latest outlook on global, regional, and national market trends of key commodity prices in FEWS NET reporting countries and also analyzes the various drivers influencing these trends.

View Global Price Watch reports
Production and Trade Flow Maps

These maps display the geography of market systems and trade flow patterns for key products, including their key market towns and cross-border trade points.

View El Salvador Production and Trade Flow Maps
Price data

Price data is available for a large number of countries and products around the world. This data can be used to track the change in price of commodities, food staples, agricultural inputs, and other products over time and is a key input to FEWS NET food security analysis and Global Price Watch reports.

Go to Data Explorer (all sources)
Agroclimatology resources
Description

Access FEWS NET’s remote sensing data and analysis of weather conditions.

Learn more about agroclimatology
Weekly Global Weather Hazards reports

This report provides a global outlook on anticipated severe weather events, including maps with current weather information, short and medium range weather forecasts (up to one week), and the potential impact on crop and pasture conditions.

View Global Weather Hazards reports
Seasonal Monitor reports

This report provides regional updates on weather events, rainfall patterns, and associated impacts on ground conditions (e.g., cropping conditions, water availability) during a given geography’s rainy season, along with a short-term rainfall forecast.

View Latin America and the Caribbean Seasonal Monitor reports
Agroclimatology data

FEWS NET and its partners offer a range of online tools that share insights on rainfall, temperature, vegetation, soil moisture, and surface water conditions derived from remote sensing data collection and modeling.

View data portals and tools
Livelihoods resources
Description

Access FEWS NET’s maps, reports, and data on local livelihood systems.

Learn more about livelihoods
El Salvador 2018 Livelihood Zones Map (.PNG)
Livelihood Profiles

Profiles briefly describe wealth groups and compare the various sources of food and income particular to each. The Profiles provide a basis for understanding how and whether different groups may be vulnerable to shocks such as drought, flooding, conflict or a market disruption.

View latest El Salvador Livelihood Profiles
Livelihood Zone Descriptions

Zone Descriptions accompany a Zone Map, briefly describing the main characteristics of the livelihood patterns in that zone. The maps and descriptions are useful in informing the development of monitoring systems.

View latest El Salvador Livelihood Zone Descriptions
Livelihood Zone maps

Zone Maps illustrate the country by zone, showing areas where people generally have the same options for obtaining food and income and engaging in trade.

View latest El Salvador Livelihood Zone Map
Seasonal Calendar
Description

These calendars illustrate the monthly availability of key food and income sources, plus the starts and ends to key rainy and lean seasons. They supplement livelihoods resources and are integral to FEWS NET’s food security analysis.

View and download the El Salvador Seasonal Calendar
Seasonal Calendar image showing harvest and rainy periods for El Salvador
Get the latest food security updates in your inbox Sign up for emails

The information provided on this Website is not official U.S. Government information and does not represent the views or positions of the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Government.

Jump back to top