Central America saw exports gain 21.8% over first half of 2011 from same period last year

2011-10-19

According to data provided by Secretaría de Integración Económica Centroamericana (SIECA), Central American countries (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica) registered US$ 14.645 billion in exports to, and US$ 26.159 billion in imports from, regions outside Central America as of June 2011. Compared to the same period last year, these figures suggest a 21.8% and a 22.8% growth in export and import, respectively. The volume of foreign trade totaled US$ 40.804 billion as of June 2011, with the trade deficit widening to US$ 11.514 billion. Among the four countries, Costa Rica accounts for the largest portion of exports to regions outside Central America (35.6%), followed by Guatemala (25.6%), Honduras (16.1%), El Salvador (14.4%) and Nicaragua (8.3%). The U.S. is the leading trade partner of Central American countries.