The Central Bank of Nicaragua has published its first quarter 2026 external trade report and statistics, showing stronger trade performance as higher export prices lifted total exports to USD 2,768.2 million, up 33.5% year on year. Total free on board imports rose more moderately to USD 2,870.8 million, up 5.7%, and the trade deficit narrowed to USD 102.6 million, 84.0% below the level recorded in the first quarter of 2025. The report links the improvement to export dynamism and better terms of trade. The export increase was driven by a 61.5% rise in merchandise exports, which more than offset a 7.2% decline in free zone exports. Higher gold, coffee and beef exports led the merchandise gain, supported by stronger prices and volumes. On the import side, merchandise imports increased 10.9% on higher volumes despite a slight decline in average contracted prices, with larger purchases of intermediate goods, capital goods, consumer goods, petroleum and petroleum products. Free zone imports fell 13.2%, mainly because of lower raw material purchases for the textile industry. Terms of trade improved 14.7% year on year, reflecting a 14.2% increase in average export prices and a 0.5% decline in average import prices.
Central Bank of Nicaragua2026-05-29
Central Bank of Nicaragua reports first quarter export growth of 33.5 percent and an 84 percent narrower trade deficit
The Central Bank of Nicaragua reported that first quarter 2026 exports rose 33.5% year on year to USD 2,768.2 million, while imports increased 5.7% to USD 2,870.8 million, narrowing the trade deficit to USD 102.6 million, 84.0% below the prior-year level. The improvement reflects a 61.5% increase in merchandise exports, led by higher gold, coffee and beef shipments, and a 14.7% gain in terms of trade as export prices rose and import prices edged down.