Browse Data and Analysis

There is no legal impediment to the use of biotechnology in El Salvador. Genetically engineered (GE) corn field trials were successfully completed.

Salvadoran restaurants and hotels continue to benefit from growth in the tourism sector, especially the business/convention and emerging surf sectors.

During 2019, the Salvadoran retail sector, valued at approximately $4.5 billion, continues to show positive signs of growth as supermarkets and discount stores have expanded operations.

Honduras allows commercial production of genetically engineered (GE) crops. As of October 2016, planted GE corn areas increased by 13 percent to 38,700 hectares from the previous year.

Since the United States entered into the CAFTA-DR trade agreement, U.S. agricultural exports to the six CAFTA-DR countries have more than doubled.

Central America and the Caribbean, with their close geographical and economic ties to the United States, have always been an important market for U.S. agricultural exports.

In 2008, El Salvador abolished the Planting Seed Law that required imported seeds to have a phytosanitary certificate with an additional declaration stating that the seeds did not contain GMOs.

Honduras is the only country in Central America that allows commercial production and field trials of agricultural biotech crops.

El Salvador has no legal restriction on the use of agricultural biotechnology. However the country's biotech regulatory framework is still being developed.