Maize flour and cereals market in Nicaragua

Earlier Report Observations

The maize flour and cereals market in Nicaragua grew from 427.7 thousand tons in 2018 to 465.5 thousand tons in 2019. This expansion was supported by the Sistema Nacional de Producción, Consumo y Comercio, which promoted alliances among producers, traders, and importers to ensure stable supply and prices for agricultural products including corn and flour. The enactment of the Ley de Equidad Fiscal facilitated investments and strengthened fiscal institutions, boosting agricultural sector capacity. In 2019, adequate inventories from national corn production reliably supplied domestic consumption, further underpinning market growth.

Following a contraction to 377.9 thousand tons in 2020, the market gradually recovered, reaching 400.2 thousand tons by 2022. This rebound was aided by increased U.S. exports of processed food products to Nicaragua, which included demand for basic grains and lower-priced items such as corn flour. Concurrently, the supermarket sector expanded due to urbanization and shifts in consumer habits, raising demand for packaged maize flour products. Ongoing technical regulations for maize flour and semolina maintained product quality and safety standards.

Market volume continued to rise, reaching 405.6 thousand tons in 2023. National corn production increased by 2.6% compared to the previous year, securing raw material supply. Manufacturers integrated advanced technologies into precooked maize flour processing, enhancing product appeal and supporting steady market performance.

Production maize flour and cereals in Nicaragua

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

In 2020, Nicaragua produced 359.9 thousand tons of maize flour and cereals, marking a significant 19.7% decrease from the previous year. Production peaked in 2019 at 448.4 thousand tons, which represented a 9.6% increase that year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production declined by 14.9%, translating to an average annual decrease of 5.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of maize flour and cereals in Nicaragua was valued at 524.0 million US dollars, reflecting a substantial 22.5% drop compared to 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with an 8.0% rise. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 22.6%, averaging an 8.2% annual decline.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Nicaragua

Exports in kind, t

Nicaragua exported 573 tons of maize flour and cereals in 2020, showing a robust 15.7% year-over-year decline. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 4.7%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 17.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Panama, Costa Rica, and Honduras were the leading destinations for Nicaragua's maize flour and cereal exports in kind. Panama accounted for 39.5% of exports, Costa Rica for 39.1%, and Honduras for 16.8%, together making up 95.4% of total export flows.

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

In 2020, Nicaragua's maize flour and cereal exports were valued at 835 thousand US dollars, down 18.5% from the previous year. The largest increase was in 2019 at 3.2%. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 25.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Panama, Costa Rica, and Honduras were the largest buyers of maize flour and cereals from Nicaragua in value terms. Panama held a 44.2% share of exports, Costa Rica 29.0%, and Honduras 20.3%, collectively accounting for 93.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Nicaragua

Imports in kind, t

Nicaragua imported 18 595 tons of maize flour and cereals in 2020, indicating a modest 4.8% increase from the previous year. Imports reached their highest point in 2018 at 19 020 tons, which was a 16.0% increase that year. In 2019, imports saw the largest decline of 6.7%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 13.4%, averaging a 4.3% annual increase.

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

During 2017-2020, Honduras and El Salvador dominated Nicaragua's imports of maize flour and cereals in kind, together accounting for 91.7% of total imports. The remaining share was distributed among other countries with smaller individual contributions.

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

In 2020, Nicaragua's imports of maize flour and cereals totaled 9 898 thousand US dollars, up 5.5% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 10 366 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 17.6% increase that year. In 2019, imports experienced the largest decline of 9.5%. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 12.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Honduras and El Salvador were the primary suppliers of maize flour and cereals to Nicaragua in value terms, with a combined share of 88.0% of total imports. The rest was fragmented across other countries.

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

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