El Salvador: Sugar Annual
Sugar production in MY19 is estimated at 755,000 metric tons (MT). Based on new data provided by the Salvadoran Sugar Council (CONSAA), production for MY18 has been lowered to 757,000 MT. CONSAA agreed to increase the share that producers receive of total sugar sales from 54.5 to 56 percent, with the other 44 percent going to the sugar mills. Volatile international prices are increasing financial pressure on the sugar sector. The draft law for production of alternative fuels, including ethanol, is still on hold and there is no set date for its entry into force. However, with a new Government of El Salvador (GOES) administration taking office on June 1 this could change. Although El Salvador has joined the Customs Union with Guatemala and Honduras, sugar will likely not be included in the list of products that will benefit with duty-free trade.