The Central Bank of Nicaragua has published its president's presentation to the National Assembly on the 2026-2027 National Production, Consumption and Trade Plan, which sets production and export targets for the next cycle under a challenging climate outlook. The plan targets USD 3.5957 billion in food and forestry exports in 2026 and projects a 0.4 percent increase in value added across the productive sectors covered, with livestock and livestock agroindustry expected to offset a 2.2 percent contraction in agriculture. The presentation said the 2025-2026 cycle closed with overall plan fulfilment of 97.8 percent, led by livestock at 104.1 percent and agroindustry at 103.4 percent, while agriculture reached 87.3 percent because of rainfall deficits and a prolonged canicula. Food exports in 2025 totaled USD 3.4079 billion, 7.5 percent above target and 18.3 percent above 2024. For 2026-2027, climate models point to a 61 percent probability of El Niño, below-normal and irregular rainfall in May to July, temperatures of 36 to 38.5 degrees Celsius and a more intense and prolonged canicula. Output is projected to increase for rice, beans, maize, beef, pork, poultry, eggs, sugar and palm oil, while coffee, milk and fisheries are expected to decline. Beef and coffee account for the largest 2026 export targets at USD 1.0757 billion and USD 1.0263 billion respectively.
Central Bank of Nicaragua 2026-05-07
Central Bank of Nicaragua presents 2026-2027 production plan targeting USD 3.6 billion in food and forestry exports amid 61 percent El Niño risk
The Central Bank of Nicaragua has published its president’s presentation to the National Assembly on the 2026-2027 National Production, Consumption and Trade Plan, which sets production and export targets under a challenging climate outlook. The plan targets USD 3.5957 billion in food and forestry exports in 2026, with livestock and livestock agroindustry expected to offset a 2.2 percent contraction in agriculture, and beef and coffee set as the largest export lines. The presentation reports 97.8 percent fulfilment of the 2025-2026 plan, with food exports reaching USD 3.4079 billion, 7.5 percent above target and 18.3 percent above 2024, while climate models for 2026-2027 indicate elevated El Niño risk and adverse rainfall and temperature conditions that will support higher output in staples and meat but weigh on coffee, milk and fisheries.