Food Processing / Packaging  Global Market
Insights and Opportunities

Nicaragua Market

Overview: Nicaraguan and international companies are investing in food processing equipment to improve sanitary and quality standards for foods sold locally and for export. Fresh and processed foods are among Nicaragua‘s fastest growing exports.

Best Products/Services: Refrigeration equipment, such as refrigerated trucks, containers, and cold storage rooms and laboratory equipment for testing and product certification are in high demand. Demand is highest for used equipment in good condition.

Opportunities: The Central America-Dominican Republic-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) offers improved access to U.S. markets for Nicaragua‘s agricultural goods. Nicaragua is poised to take advantage of these opportunities, especially in the areas of meat, dairy, seafood, produce, and processed foods.

Currently there is only one public cold storage facility in the country, run by the Association of Producers and Exporters of Nicaragua (APEN). The facility has limited capacity and is too small to meet demand both for export and import shipments of perishable goods.