Nicaragua Leads Central American Export Growth in the First Quarter of 2026

Nicaragua solidified its position as the most dynamic exporting country in Central America during the first quarter of 2026, registering the highest growth in both goods and services exports. This occurred within a context of peace, stability, and tranquility that fosters investment, tourism, and national productivity.

Between January and March 2026, Central American goods exports reached US$17,984.3 million, representing a 10.4% increase compared to the same period in 2025. According to the trade report from the Secretariat for Central American Economic Integration (SIECA), Nicaragua led this regional performance with a 35.7% increase, the highest in the isthmus.

Honduras ranked second, with 11.5% growth. These two countries were the only ones in the region to register double-digit increases. They were followed by Costa Rica, with 6.7%; Guatemala, with 4.9%; El Salvador, with 3.6%; and Panama, with 0.7%.

Gold, coffee, and electrical conductors drive exports

In terms of value, Nicaragua reported $2,745.7 million in goods exports, equivalent to 15.3% of the Central American total.

Nicaraguan exports were primarily driven by gold, coffee, and electrical cables or conductors, products that maintain a significant share of the country's foreign trade.

In absolute value, Costa Rica led regional exports with $5,496.6 million, followed by Guatemala, with $4,215.7 million, and Honduras, with $3,612.2 million. Nicaragua ranked next with $2,745.7 million, ahead of El Salvador, which reached $1,663.4 million, and Panama, with $250.7 million.

This performance confirms Nicaragua's role as the engine of Central American export growth at the start of 2026, combining accelerated growth with an external supply supported by products in high international demand.

Nicaragua also leads the growth in services.

Nicaragua's leadership extended to the services sector. In the first quarter of 2026, regional service exports totaled US$14,059.2 million, representing a year-on-year growth of 7.4%.

Nicaragua again registered the highest growth rate in Central America, at 14.1%, rising from US$312.5 million in the first quarter of 2025 to US$356.5 million in the same period of 2026, according to data from SIECA and the Central Bank of Nicaragua.

Although Nicaragua represents only 2.5% of regional service exports in terms of volume and ranks last among Central American countries, its growth rate was the highest. It was followed by El Salvador, with 10.8%; Panama, with 9.7%; Guatemala, with 6.3%; Costa Rica, with 4.5%; and Honduras, with 0.3%.

Tourism, one of the main drivers

The growth of Nicaraguan services was primarily driven by a strong increase in tourism revenue.

The Central Bank of Nicaragua reports that tourism revenue from non-resident visitors increased by 40.1%, representing an additional US$45.5 million compared to the first quarter of 2025. Transportation services also grew, by 15.9%, as did manufacturing services in free trade zones, by 4.2%.

These results offset the declines recorded in telecommunications and other business services.

In 2025, Nicaraguan service exports reached US$1.338 billion, reflecting the growing importance of this sector for generating income and economic opportunities.

A Favorable Environment for Growth

The performance recorded during the first three months of 2026 reflects Nicaragua's capacity to expand its trade ties and capitalize on opportunities in both goods and services markets.

This dynamism is unfolding in an environment of peace, stability, and tranquility—conditions that contribute to building confidence and a favorable environment for investment, tourism, production, and trade.

Export growth represents greater opportunities for businesses, increased economic activity, and new possibilities for job creation and income generation, directly contributing to economic development and the social progress of Nicaraguan families.

Thus, the first quarter of 2026 yielded a remarkable result for Nicaragua: the highest export growth in goods and services in Central America, solidifying the country's position as one of the main drivers of regional economic dynamism.