Market research

Paddy rice market in Nicaragua

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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Earlier Report Observations

The Nicaraguan paddy rice market increased from 565 thousand tons in 2018 to 639 thousand tons in 2023, with growth particularly strong in 2021 when government initiatives to develop the rice sector boosted domestic production and market volume. These programs, focused on food security and national production, helped counteract persistent challenges such as adverse weather and rising input costs.

Market fluctuations occurred due to varying import levels, influenced by factors such as tax reforms that increased costs for the industry and the ongoing impact of the CAFTA-DR trade agreement. In 2022, a decline in imports led to a temporary market contraction, while a surge in imports in 2023 pushed the market to a new high.

Long-term structural changes include a 33% expansion in dryland rice planting area over three years, supported by national strategies, and continued international cooperation such as the 2022 agreement with South Korea to enhance productivity. However, climate variability and production costs remain key constraints, shaping the balance between local output and imports.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Nicaragua
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Nicaragua in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Nicaragua in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Nicaragua in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Nicaragua by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Nicaragua in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Nicaragua by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Nicaragua, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Nicaragua by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Nicaragua in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Nicaragua by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Nicaragua in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Nicaragua by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Nicaragua, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Nicaragua by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nicaragua in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Nicaragua by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nicaragua in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Nicaragua by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Nicaragua, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Nicaragua by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nicaragua in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Nicaragua by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nicaragua in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Nicaragua by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Nicaragua, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Nicaragua by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production paddy rice in Nicaragua

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Nicaragua's paddy rice production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 477.0 K t of paddy rice, marking a 1.9% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 12.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.7%	6.9%	1.9%	4.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports paddy rice from Nicaragua

Exports in kind, K t

The export market for paddy rice from Nicaragua showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020, with a volume of 0.0 K t, while the highest level was recorded in 2018. The gap between these years was substantial, with 2018 exports being 1,750 times higher than in 2020. Compared to 2019, exports in 2020 surged by 9,322.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	9 322.4%	n/a	n/a	(62.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Nicaragua's paddy rice exports were heavily concentrated on Honduras, which accounted for 94.9% of the total export volume.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market in value terms was volatile over the observed years. The lowest value was recorded in 2020, with Nicaragua exporting 0.0 K $ US of paddy rice, while the highest occurred in 2018. The difference between these years was stark, with 2018 exports being 1,550 times greater than in 2020. Compared to 2019, the 2020 export value jumped sharply by 9,454.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	9 454.9%	n/a	n/a	(60.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017–2020, Honduras was the primary partner for Nicaragua's paddy rice exports in value terms, making up 94.0% of the total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports paddy rice to Nicaragua

Imports in kind, K t

Nicaragua's paddy rice imports have decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 113.3 K t, showing a modest decline of 5.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 11.8%, with an average annual decrease of 4.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(1.1%)	(5.8%)	(5.4%)	(4.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States and Brazil were the main sources for Nicaragua's paddy rice imports in volume terms, together accounting for 89.7% of total imports. The remaining volume was distributed among smaller markets.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Nicaragua's paddy rice imports in value terms amounted to 47 248 K $ US, representing a 3.6% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 5.1%, which translates to an average annual rate of 1.7%. The largest drop was seen in 2019, with a decline of 0.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.7%	(0.3%)	3.6%	1.7%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Brazil dominated Nicaragua's paddy rice imports in value terms, jointly capturing 91.0% of the total import flows, while other markets accounted for the remainder.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io