Milled rice and broken rice market in Nicaragua

Earlier Report Observations

The market for milled and broken rice in Nicaragua grew from 302.8 thousand tons in 2018 to 413.8 thousand tons in 2023, a 37% expansion over the period. The most notable surge occurred in 2019, when the market volume increased by 23% to 372.3 thousand tons, primarily due to a sharp rise in domestic production and higher imports.

Market growth continued through 2022 and 2023, supported by record national output. In 2022, rice production hit a historic peak, exceeding 4.9 million quintals oro and covering 75% of estimated annual consumption. This production boom, coupled with sustained imports, pushed the market volume to 392.6 thousand tons. The following year, production rose by a further 1.7% during the 2023-2024 cycle, aided by institutional support and the adoption of technological innovations, leading to a market size of 413.8 thousand tons.

In 2024, the sector faced significant institutional and trade changes. Early in the year, the harvested area and production showed a slight increase. However, in August, the government revoked the legal status of the main rice industry organizations—ProArroz, Anar, and the Nicaraguan Association of Rice Industrials. Concurrently, the Central American market opened to tariff-free U.S. rice under DR-CAFTA, increasing competitive pressure on local producers.

Production milled rice and broken rice in Nicaragua

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milled rice and broken rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of milled rice and broken rice, 2017-2020

Nicaragua's production of milled rice and broken rice has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 371.7 thousand tons, which is 0.9% higher than in 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 8.6%, averaging an annual increase of 2.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 309.2 thousand tons, marking the largest decline of 9.7% that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 19.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Nicaragua's production value of milled rice and broken rice has risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 136.2 million US dollars, representing a 12.9% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 29.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 95.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 9.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 26.8% rise.

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

Exports milled rice and broken rice from Nicaragua

Exports in kind, t

Nicaragua's exports of milled rice and broken rice have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 4 894 tons, showing a slight decrease of 2.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 36.9%, with an average annual decline of 14.2%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 9 777 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 26.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 48.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, El Salvador was the primary market for Nicaragua's milled rice and broken rice exports, accounting for 88.8% of total exports in volume. Other destinations made up a smaller portion of the export flow.

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 exports of milled rice and broken rice were valued at 1 794 thousand US dollars, an increase of 8.8% from the previous year. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 24.9%, with an average annual decline of 9.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 649 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 45.2%. The highest value was in 2018 at 3 010 thousand US dollars, marking the largest increase of 26.0% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nicaragua's milled rice and broken rice exports were primarily shipped to El Salvador, which accounted 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 milled rice and broken rice to Nicaragua

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 3 360 tons, which saw the largest decline of 65.6%. In 2019, imports surged by 167.7%, the largest increase during the period. By 2020, imports had risen to 8 820 tons, marking a significant uptick of 162.1% year-over-year. The span from 2018 to 2020 exhibited a peak-to-trough amplitude of 7 times.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Costa Rica (32.1% of imports in volume), Brazil (20.3%), and the United States (14.6%) were consistently the main sources for Nicaragua's imports of milled rice and broken rice, together accounting for 66.9% 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, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Imports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 1 632 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 65.9%. In 2019, imports increased sharply by 252.6%, the largest rise. By 2020, imports had grown to 10 772 thousand US dollars, marking an increase of 87.1% from the previous year. The gap between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2018 was 6.6-fold.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Asia, not elsewhere specified (28.7% of import value), the United States (20.4%), and Brazil (17.2%) formed the main group of sources for Nicaragua's imports of milled rice and broken rice in value terms, with a combined share of 66.3% of total flows.

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

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