Lard and poultry fats market in Nicaragua, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The production and market volume of lard and poultry fats in Nicaragua increased from 2,264 t in 2018 to 2,436 t in 2019, supported by the launch of the National Program for Swine Sector Development. This initiative promoted the shift from traditional backyard farming to semi-technified farms with technical and financial aid, laying a foundation for growth. In 2020, however, market volume dipped to 2,325 t. This coincided with the tariff-free entry of pork from the United States under the DR-CAFTA treaty, which increased domestic pork supply and likely tempered local fat production. Updated technical standards for fats and oils also began affecting labeling and quality control during this period.

A significant rebound followed in 2021, with market volume jumping to 2,593 t. This surge aligned with the drafting of stricter sanitary and traceability requirements for meat and its derivatives, which bolstered food safety systems. The upward trend in production continued into 2022, reaching 2,900 t, supported by a national plan targeting a 5% rise in fats and oils output and the wider adoption of biosecurity technologies in poultry farming, which boosted the supply of poultry fat. By 2023, production stabilized at a high level of 2,884 t, while market volume settled at 2,510 t. This period was characterized by continued development of new ventures, adoption of improved genetics and feeding technologies in pig farming, and growing domestic pork consumption driven by favorable prices.

Production lard and poultry fats in Nicaragua

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of lard and poultry fats, 2017-2020

World map of production of lard and poultry fats, 2017-2020

Nicaragua's production of lard and poultry fats saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 2 434 tons, but by 2020 it had dropped slightly to 2 385 tons, representing a 2.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 9.8%, which translates to an average annual increase of 3.2%. The most significant year-on-year rise occurred in 2019, with a 7.5% jump.

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

Exports lard and poultry fats from Nicaragua

Exports in kind, kg

In 2020, Nicaragua exported 60 003 kilograms of lard and poultry fats, marking an extraordinary increase of 11 321 258.5% compared to 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Nicaragua in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Nicaragua's exports in kind were entirely concentrated on two countries: El Salvador and Guatemala, which together accounted for 100.0% 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, $ US

The value of Nicaragua's lard and poultry fats exports surged to 42 772 US dollars in 2020, representing a dramatic increase of 1 069 201.3% over the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, El Salvador and Guatemala were the sole markets for Nicaragua's exports in value terms, with El Salvador accounting for 67.0% and Guatemala for 33.0% of total flows, together making up 100.0%.

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

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

Imports lard and poultry fats to Nicaragua

Imports in kind, kg

Import volumes showed significant volatility during this period. In 2018, imports hit their lowest point at just 1 kilogram, but they skyrocketed to 1 436 kilograms in 2019, representing an increase of 143 530.0% from the previous year. This created a 1 436-fold difference between the peak in 2019 and the trough in 2018. The sharpest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 99.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nicaragua in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Throughout 2017–2020, Nicaragua's imports in kind were exclusively sourced from the United States, which accounted for 100.0% of total 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, $ US

Import values exhibited considerable fluctuations. In 2018, the value was at its minimum of 3 US dollars, but it jumped sharply to 3 532 US dollars in 2019, reflecting a gain of 122 981.2% from the previous year. This resulted in a 1 231-fold difference between the 2019 peak and the 2018 low. The most pronounced decline was recorded in 2018, at 99.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nicaragua's imports in value terms were entirely dependent on the United States, which supplied 100.0% of total lard and poultry fats imports.

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

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