Concentrated milk and cream market in Nicaragua

Earlier Report Observations

The market for concentrated milk and cream in Nicaragua showed significant volatility between 2018 and 2024. Starting at 1 103 t in 2018, domestic consumption surged to 1 830 t in 2019 before retreating to 1 633 t in 2020.

The market rebounded to 1 882 t in 2021, supported by a 2.2% increase in national raw milk production that expanded the raw material base for dairy processors. Nicaragua also consolidated its position as Central America's leading milk exporter, with overseas shipments reaching $97 million in the second quarter of the year. In 2022, the market contracted sharply to 1 178 t as production declined and export volumes rose.

A partial recovery to 1 535 t occurred in 2023 amid industry restructuring, including the closure of major processing plants like Prolacsa and Lala, which created uncertainty over local production capacity. Looking ahead to 2024, national milk output grew by 6.2% in the first two months, and authorities introduced updated technical regulations for pasteurized cream and skimmed milk, signaling ongoing efforts to modernize the sector.

Production concentrated milk and cream in Nicaragua

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of concentrated milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of concentrated milk and cream, 2017-2020

Nicaragua's production of concentrated milk and cream has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 2 667 tonnes, marking a 6.3% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production surged by 61.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 17.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Nicaragua in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Nicaragua's production of concentrated milk and cream has risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 5 881 thousand US dollars, up 4.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 57.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 16.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Nicaragua in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports concentrated milk and cream from Nicaragua

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Nicaragua's exports of concentrated milk and cream reached 1 965 tonnes, a 25.8% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 17.2%, with an average annual rate of 5.4%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 561 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 8.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Nicaragua in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, El Salvador dominated Nicaragua's exports of concentrated milk and cream in volume terms, consistently accounting for 99.5% of total shipments.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Nicaragua in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Nicaragua exported concentrated milk and cream worth 4 332 thousand US dollars in 2020, a 23.4% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 14.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 4.5%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 3 511 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 8.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Nicaragua in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017-2020, Nicaragua's exports of concentrated milk and cream in value terms were almost entirely concentrated in El Salvador, which held a 99.6% share.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Nicaragua in value, 2017-2020

Imports concentrated milk and cream to Nicaragua

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Nicaragua's imports of concentrated milk and cream stood at 931 tonnes, up 5.4% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 3.5%, with an average annual decline of 1.2%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 883 tonnes, which saw the largest drop of 18.2%. In contrast, the highest volume was in 2018 at 1 079 tonnes, with the largest increase of 11.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nicaragua in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Chile, Mexico, and Panama were the top suppliers of concentrated milk and cream to Nicaragua in volume terms, with shares of 28.7%, 26.0%, and 23.2%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 77.9% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Nicaragua in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, Nicaragua's imports of concentrated milk and cream rebounded in 2020. Imports totaled 1 662 thousand US dollars, a 9.7% increase year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 27.1%, with a compound annual decline rate of 10.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 515 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest drop of 24.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nicaragua in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2017-2020, Panama, Chile, and Mexico led Nicaragua's imports of concentrated milk and cream in value terms, with shares of 30.5%, 24.7%, and 20.7%, respectively. Combined, they represented 76.0% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Nicaragua in value, 2017-2020