Pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat market in Nicaragua

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market volume for pig fat in Nicaragua grew gradually from 964 t to 1 000 t. The start of tariff elimination for pork imports from the United States under the DR-Cafta agreement in 2020 increased the supply of pork in the domestic market, which contributed to rising imports of pig fat.

From 2021 to 2023, domestic production of pig fat remained above 1 000 t annually. This was supported by a 3.5% increase in the national swine herd and a shift from traditional to semi-technified farming models, which improved yields. Government technical assistance to small-scale producers and stable retail prices for pork relative to beef further stimulated domestic consumption, with market volume reaching 1 345 t in 2023.

Import volumes continued to grow significantly, reaching 441 t in 2024. This period saw reported growth in national pork production driven by the adoption of improved genetics, nutrition, and health practices, supported by ongoing public sector programs aimed at modernizing the swine industry.

Production pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat in Nicaragua

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat, 2017-2020

World map of production of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat, 2017-2020

Nicaragua's production of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 900 tonnes, marking a slight decrease of 1.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production overall increased by 10.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.5%. Production peaked in 2019 at 915 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 8.3%.

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

Exports pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat from Nicaragua

Market data indicates that Nicaragua did not export any pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat between 2017 and 2020.

Imports pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat to Nicaragua

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Nicaragua's imports of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat reached 100.3 tonnes, representing a significant increase of 26.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 6.9%, with an average annual decline of 2.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 79.1 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 119.2 tonnes. The sharpest drop occurred in 2019, with a 33.7% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States dominated Nicaragua's imports of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat in volume terms, accounting for 99.7% 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, K $ US

After two years of decline, Nicaragua's imports of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat increased in value. In 2020, imports were valued at 250.7 thousand US dollars, showing a solid year-on-year gain of 15.8%. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 20.4%, with an average annual decline of 7.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 216.5 thousand US dollars, and the largest annual decline occurred in 2018 at 17.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States was the nearly exclusive supplier of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat to Nicaragua in value terms, capturing 99.8% of total imports.

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

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