Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Nicaragua

Earlier Report Observations

The wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Nicaragua saw significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2021. Volume dropped from 113.6 thousand tons in 2018 to 93.6 thousand tons the following year, before a gradual recovery brought it to 100.9 thousand tons by 2021.

Market volume surged by 22% to 123.0 thousand tons in 2022. This growth was primarily driven by government intervention, which absorbed 60% of the international wheat price increase to contain local flour costs and maintain consumer demand. Simultaneously, supply disruptions from the Russia-Ukraine conflict affected global wheat flows, but guaranteed shipments and local milling adaptations prevented a shortage and supported domestic market volume. In 2023, the market stabilized with a slight adjustment to 120.0 thousand tons.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Nicaragua

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

In 2020, Nicaragua produced 92.9 K t of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, maintaining stable output compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 8.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 106.7 K t, which represented a 24.7% increase from the previous year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline of 13.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of wheat and meslin flour and cereals production in Nicaragua reached 49 345 K $ US, marking a 12.1% increase year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 16.5%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 5.2%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 54 297 K $ US, reflecting a 28.2% surge. However, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 18.9%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Nicaragua

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Nicaragua's exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals declined. In 2020, exports totaled 6 623 t, a 33.1% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 9.4%, with an annualized decline rate of 3.2%. The highest export volume was in 2019 at 9 905 t, which saw a 32.4% increase from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Costa Rica and El Salvador were the primary destinations for Nicaragua's exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in kind, together accounting for 99.8% of total 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

Following a two-year upward trend, Nicaragua's exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in value terms declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 3 519 K $ US, a 25.2% drop compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 2.8%, with an annualized decline rate of 0.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 4 707 K $ US, which represented a 23.7% increase.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Costa Rica dominated the partner structure for Nicaragua's exports in value terms, consistently accounting for 93.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Nicaragua

Imports in kind, t

Nicaragua's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume stood at 9 863 t, a 9.1% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 48.6%, with an annualized decline rate of 19.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, 93.8% of Nicaragua's total imports in kind of wheat and meslin flour and cereals were directed to Costa Rica, making this market overwhelmingly dominant.

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

Nicaragua's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals declined for the third consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, imports totaled 4 069 K $ US, showing a significant drop of 12.4% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 57.3%, with an average annual decline rate of 24.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the import market structure was highly concentrated, with Costa Rica alone responsible for 90.5% of total imports in value terms.

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

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