Dried shelled legumes market in Nicaragua

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled legumes in Nicaragua expanded from 318.8 thousand tons in 2018 to 353.5 thousand tons in 2021, driven by global shifts in dietary habits toward convenient and ready-to-eat foods that boosted demand. After stabilizing near 349.4 thousand tons in 2022, the market volume contracted sharply to 260.5 thousand tons in 2023.

The 2023 downturn was primarily caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon, which brought scarce rainfall and high temperatures, reducing agricultural yields for legume crops. Although the National System of Production, Consumption and Trade implemented technical assistance and technology transfer policies to enhance productivity, these measures could not offset the weather-related production shortfall.

In 2024, El Niño conditions continued to affect the agricultural cycle, while the government reinforced policies to increase production through new technologies and good practices. Regulatory changes, including mandatory norms for ecological agriculture and sanitary standards for food, also shaped the production environment for dried legumes.

Production dried shelled legumes in Nicaragua

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

In 2020, Nicaragua produced 421.8 thousand tons of dried shelled legumes, marking a 7.1% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 9.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.9%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 0.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of dried shelled legumes in Nicaragua was valued at 496.1 million US dollars, representing a 23.4% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 25.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 7.9%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 1.6%.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Nicaragua

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Nicaragua exported 96 943 tons of dried shelled legumes, up by 30.2% from the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 33.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.2%. The most significant decline was observed in 2019, with a decrease of 4.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of dried shelled legumes from Nicaragua were Costa Rica, accounting for 29.0% of exports in kind, El Salvador with 27.8%, and the United States at 18.5%. Together, these three countries comprised 75.3% of total exports in kind.

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, M $ US

In 2020, Nicaragua exported 114.0 million US dollars worth of dried shelled legumes, which is 50.0% higher year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 54%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 15.5%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a drop of 5.5%.

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

During 2017–2020, the three main markets for Nicaragua's dried shelled legumes in value terms were Costa Rica, El Salvador, and the United States, which together absorbed 76.7% of total exports.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Nicaragua

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Volumes reached their minimum in 2019 at 194 tons and peaked in 2018 at 1 995 tons, representing a 10.3-fold shift. In 2020, Nicaragua's dried shelled legumes imports amounted to 689 tons, which is 255.3% higher than the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 90.3%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 307.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the principal sources for imports in kind were the United States, accounting for 40.2% of imports, Ethiopia with 20.5%, and Honduras at 20.2%. Together, these three countries made up 80.9% of total import flows.

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, M $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Volumes varied 6.5 times, from a low of 0.2 million US dollars in 2019 to a high of 1.6 million US dollars in 2018. In 2020, Nicaragua's dried shelled legumes imports totaled 0.5 million US dollars, which is 107.8% greater than the prior year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a drop of 84.7%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 176.3%.

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

Over 2017–2020, the main sources for imports in value terms were the United States, accounting for 55.9% of imports, Ethiopia with 16.2%, and Honduras at 13.0%. Together, these three countries absorbed 85.1% of total imports in value terms, making them the primary directions for Nicaragua's dried shelled legumes imports.

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

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