In 2023, Nicaragua’s number one most exported product was gold. This raw, semi-manufactured or powdered commodity contributed approximately 1.1 billion U.S. dollars to the Nicaraguan total export value. At around 609 million dollars, coffee was the second most exported product in Nicaragua. It was followed by frozen, fresh, and refrigerated bovine meats that, combined, made up roughly 690 million dollars of the exported value for this Central American country. In addition to being the most important export products for Nicaragua, both gold and coffee, were among the top ten most exported goods in Central America.

Nicaragua’s leading trade partners

Whereas several Central American countries were among the lead trading partners of Nicaragua, it was the United States that led the list. The United States was by far the main trade partner of Nicaragua, both in terms of import and export, exceeding a total trade value of 6.8 billion U.S. dollars in 2022. In the case of China, however, the trade balance is rather uneven, as Nicaragua imported significantly more than it exported. This means that China is among the top ten main destinations of Nicaraguan exports, but not on the list of origin countries regarding imports.

Decline in Nicaraguan trade balance

The above-mentioned gap between import and export value in the case of China becomes even more relevant when looking at the trade balance of goods in Nicaragua over the past 10 years. Despite experiencing small fluctuations, Nicaragua has not registered a single trade surplus (positive trade balance) since 2012. The trade deficit in 2022 has, however, only slightly increased compared to the previous year.

In 2023, the main imported product in Nicaragua was petroleum, with a total import value of approximately 834.5 million U.S. dollars. Crude oils made up the second most imported product category, at nearly 605 million U.S. dollars. Medicines ranked third, accounting for almost 420 million U.S. dollars' worth of imports in Nicaragua.

Chile Exports of miscellaneous chemical products to Nicaragua was US$659.01 Thousand during 2023, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. Chile Exports of miscellaneous chemical products to Nicaragua - data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on May of 2025.

Nicaragua Exports of ceramic products was US$2.5 Million during 2023, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. Nicaragua Exports of ceramic products - data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on July of 2025.

Nicaragua NI: Exports: Goods data was reported at 5.170 USD bn in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 4.782 USD bn for 2016. Nicaragua NI: Exports: Goods data is updated yearly, averaging 440.000 USD mn from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.170 USD bn in 2017 and a record low of 62.870 USD mn in 1960. Nicaragua NI: Exports: Goods data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Nicaragua – Table NI.World Bank.WDI: Exports. Merchandise exports show the f.o.b. value of goods provided to the rest of the world valued in current U.S. dollars.; ; World Trade Organization.; Gap-filled total;

Nicaragua Exports of pharmaceutical products was US$19.39 Million during 2023, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. Nicaragua Exports of pharmaceutical products - data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on July of 2025.

United States Exports of ceramic products to Nicaragua was US$1.32 Million during 2024, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. United States Exports of ceramic products to Nicaragua - data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on June of 2025.

Peru Exports of miscellaneous chemical products to Nicaragua was US$517.46 Thousand during 2023, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. Peru Exports of miscellaneous chemical products to Nicaragua - data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on May of 2025.

Uruguay Exports of miscellaneous chemical products to Nicaragua was US$82.95 Thousand during 2022, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. Uruguay Exports of miscellaneous chemical products to Nicaragua - data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on June of 2025.

Belgium Exports of miscellaneous chemical products to Nicaragua was US$277.77 Thousand during 2024, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. Belgium Exports of miscellaneous chemical products to Nicaragua - data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on July of 2025.

Nicaragua Exports of miscellaneous chemical products to Costa Rica was US$1.79 Million during 2023, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. Nicaragua Exports of miscellaneous chemical products to Costa Rica - data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on June of 2025.

Nicaragua Exports of miscellaneous chemical products to Peru was US$58.38 Thousand during 2023, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. Nicaragua Exports of miscellaneous chemical products to Peru - data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on June of 2025.

Nicaragua Exports of dairy products, eggs, honey, edible products to New Zealand was US$65.12 Thousand during 2015, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. Nicaragua Exports of dairy products, eggs, honey, edible products to New Zealand - data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on June of 2025.

Nicaragua Exports of soap, organic surface-active products, paper, wadding coated with soap to Costa Rica was US$366.94 Thousand during 2023, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade.

Sweden Exports of miscellaneous chemical products to Nicaragua was US$129.36 Thousand during 2024, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. Sweden Exports of miscellaneous chemical products to Nicaragua - data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on June of 2025.

Russia Exports of ceramic products to Nicaragua was US$13.22 Thousand during 2017, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. Russia Exports of ceramic products to Nicaragua - data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on July of 2025.

New Zealand Exports of pharmaceutical products to Nicaragua was US$428 during 2017, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. New Zealand Exports of pharmaceutical products to Nicaragua - data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on June of 2025.

Nigeria Exports of miscellaneous chemical products to Nicaragua was US$295.7 Thousand during 2021, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. Nigeria Exports of miscellaneous chemical products to Nicaragua - data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on July of 2025.

Sri Lanka Exports of ceramic products to Nicaragua was US$55 during 2013, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. Sri Lanka Exports of ceramic products to Nicaragua - data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on July of 2025.

Nicaragua Exports of soap, organic surface-active products, paper, wadding coated with soap to Haiti was US$190.74 Thousand during 2022, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade.