The Central Bank of Nicaragua published its first quarter 2026 balance of payments results, showing a markedly stronger external position. Exports of goods and services rose 34.5% year over year to USD 2,919.5 million, while imports increased 6.7% to USD 3,096.6 million, reducing the goods trade deficit to USD 177.1 million from USD 730.8 million a year earlier. As a result, the current account posted a surplus of USD 939.0 million, up from USD 361.8 million in the first quarter of 2025, and the financial account recorded a positive balance of USD 776.1 million, compared with USD 310.8 million a year earlier. Goods exports increased 38.0% to USD 2,562.9 million, driven by higher export volumes and prices, with mining, agriculture and manufacturing rising and fishing and aquaculture declining. Services exports rose 14.1% to USD 356.5 million on higher receipts from nonresident tourism, transport and free trade zone manufacturing services. On the import side, goods imports rose 7.4% to USD 2,748.5 million, mainly because of higher capital goods and fuel purchases, while services imports increased 2.2% to USD 348.1 million, reflecting higher spending by Nicaraguan tourists abroad and higher insurance costs linked to merchandise trade. Net other current income reached USD 1,116.1 million, up 2.2% year over year. In capital and financial flows, gross foreign direct investment totaled USD 961.4 million and net flows were USD 565.4 million, broadly unchanged from a year earlier. The private sector made net effective external debt amortizations of USD 43.7 million, while the public sector received net effective disbursements of USD 96.8 million, mainly for government public investment projects. Central Bank reserve assets increased by USD 1,104.7 million in the quarter, bringing gross international reserves to USD 9,432.9 million, equivalent to average import cover of 9.0 months.
Central Bank of Nicaragua2026-07-03
Central Bank of Nicaragua reports USD 939 million first quarter current account surplus as export growth sharply narrows trade deficit
The Central Bank of Nicaragua said the balance of payments showed a USD 939.0 million current account surplus in the first quarter of 2026, up from USD 361.8 million a year earlier, as exports of goods and services rose 34.5% and sharply narrowed the trade deficit. The financial account posted a positive USD 776.1 million balance, while gross international reserves increased to USD 9,432.9 million. Goods exports were led by mining and agriculture, and imports grew more moderately on higher capital goods and fuel purchases.