Second Nicaragua Exports Forum Aims to Expand International Markets
The Second Nicaragua Exports Forum brings together representatives from the business sector, producers, international buyers, and diplomatic delegations, with the goal of boosting Nicaragua's export offerings and facilitating business opportunities in international markets.
During the opening ceremony, Laureano Ortega Murillo, Minister Advisor to the Presidency for Investment Promotion, Trade, and International Cooperation, highlighted the growing attendance and participation from various economic sectors. In this context, the official addressed the organization of the event and the role of businesses and producers in the country's export activity.
“First, let me convey the greetings of the Co-Presidents of the Republic of Nicaragua, Commander Daniel Ortega and Comrade Rosario Murillo. What a blessing for Nicaragua! The Second Nicaragua Exports Forum, and in the preparations, we came with Minister Ramírez, Comrade Karina, Comrade Fernando, and all the institutions. As I was saying, the Olof Palme Auditorium is becoming too small for us. This is a clear demonstration that the forum is a success, that Nicaragua is moving forward. We have more exhibitors, more participants, more companies, more guests, and this is thanks to the work our government has been carrying out and the tireless efforts of the export sector, the producers, and all Nicaraguans,” he said.
Addressing the institutional, diplomatic, and business representatives present, Comrade Laureano Ortega acknowledged the participation of the various sectors invited and expressed his satisfaction with the attendance at this edition of the forum.
“Dear Minister Ervin Ramírez, Minister of Development, Industry, and Commerce; Karina Mejía, Director of the Secretariat of Investments and Exports; Fernando Sánchez, Director of the Free Trade Zone Commission; members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to our country; and all those who are with us today—businesspeople, companies, producers, and journalists—we are extremely pleased, proud, and grateful to God for the success of this second forum, in terms of its turnout, quality, and number of participants. This time, we have 346 participants, 52 Nicaraguan companies with commercial exhibits, representatives from 34 countries, including, of course, the embassies that are with us, and 16 international buyers,” he emphasized.
As part of the business agenda, meetings were organized between national and international companies, both in person and virtually. These activities aim to facilitate business contacts and promote products from different sectors of the Nicaraguan economy.
“We will have business matchmaking sessions with the participation of 41 companies: 27 Nicaraguan and 14 foreign, including representatives from Mexico, Myanmar, Honduras, and China. We will have approximately 70 meetings, 33 in person and 37 virtual, taking advantage of new telecommunications technologies. There is a special emphasis on products such as coffee, meat, sugar, cocoa, seafood, palm oil, tobacco, beans, and beer—products of excellent quality that promote and showcase Nicaragua in global markets,” he stated.
In his remarks, he also highlighted the importance of agricultural exports to the national economy: “We want to acknowledge the importance of the export sector in our country, especially the agricultural export sector, which has proven to be the pillar of our economy in the face of various global challenges, such as COVID-19, tariff issues, and fuel price increases—all issues with a global impact. The agricultural export sector in Nicaragua continues to grow, demonstrating its enormous strength and, above all, its role in generating employment. Thousands upon thousands of Nicaraguans work in this sector, and they are the lifeblood and engine of Nicaragua's economy.”
Regarding trade prospects, it was explained that the forum aims to contribute to opening new markets for Nicaraguan products. Among the markets mentioned are countries in the Americas, the European Union, Russia, China, and Türkiye.
“And this event, this forum, is dedicated to continuing to promote exports and facilitating access to new markets. We have, of course, the very important markets of the Americas: the United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America—important markets, and the European Union is also very important. And we are working to gain greater and better access to new markets, such as the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China, with whom we have strengthened trade since the re-establishment of diplomatic relations in 2021.”
Finally, the official reiterated the Nicaraguan government's commitment to promoting national production, supporting exporting companies, and fostering cooperative relations with other countries. "Here is the Nicaraguan government fulfilling its commitment to the Nicaraguan people to promote their production, Nicaraguan companies, exporters, and producers, and also fulfilling its commitment to promote peaceful, mutually beneficial, and friendly cooperation with all the peoples of the world," he concluded.
Mr. Zhang Shujing, Deputy Director General of the Exhibition Administration Department of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, told reporters that "currently, the trade relationship between China and Nicaragua is developing very rapidly, and the Chinese government is also paying close attention to this relationship between China and Nicaragua."
He said that "China is paying more attention to the exploitation of other countries and also paying more attention to the exploitation of other countries. First, it is a great honor for us to be invited to participate in this second session of Nicaragua Exports. The CCPIT (China Council for the Promotion of International Trade), as the largest trade promotion institution in China, has a great role and is very pleased to participate in this forum."
Tobacco Companies
Tobacco companies were also present at the 2nd Nicaragua Exports Forum, held at the Olof Palme Convention Center.
In an interview, José Calderón, sales manager of Drew Estate Tobacco, commented that "the company was founded in 1995, but its roots are not in Nicaragua, but in New York. However, it began operations in Nicaragua in 1998, when there was a resurgence in tobacco production in Nicaragua."
"And in fact, it's a company that arrived in Nicaragua with an innovative approach, both in terms of blends—creating blends with as many tobacco leaves as possible, always using high-quality, premium tobacco—and in terms of shapes. When there was a resurgence of tobacco in Nicaragua, the traditional cylindrical, tube-shaped cigars continued to be produced, but Drew Estate innovated with different shapes. For example, there's one called a jellyfish, one called an egg, and one called a potato chip. In other words, there are different shapes," he emphasized. Calderón mentioned that the company was founded by Mr. Jonathan Drew.
Their participation in the project is to enter new markets. "Drew Estate has a fairly large, broad market, a very well-known brand in the tobacco world, but yes, the goal is to enter emerging markets, emerging economies, where perhaps they don't know much about the tobacco industry or perhaps they don't know the company itself, but that's the objective."
Giselle Castillo, head of legal procedures at Drew Estate Tobacco, shared that the company currently has 3,500 employees.
"We are from Estelí, and Drew Estate is also a pioneer in social responsibility. Currently, to reach this number of employees, we have 31 transportation routes that bring workers from different municipalities, even from other departments, to the city of Estelí. We also have a branch in the city of Somoto, where we have 300 employees," she noted.
She recalled that "we started with six employees, and with the development and growth we've experienced, we've managed to reach this number."
Regarding exports, she stated, "We could say that approximately 80 million units are exported annually." She added that these are "100% Nicaraguan products, manufactured in the city of Estelí."
CONFEXSA
Confexsa is another Nicaraguan company participating in the 2nd Nicaragua Exports Forum 2026. María Bermúdez, from the company's Business Development and Operations department, stated that "Confexsa is a Nicaraguan company with over 20 years of experience in the FR and arc flash industry market. We are a factory located in the city of Masaya, employing more than 1,600 people, and we manufacture high-protection clothing for people who work in hazardous areas."
She explained that they are "a factory that works with various international certifications, and these garments are exclusively for export to the United States and some European countries."
She noted that they also have specialized lines "for people who, after work, want to go out for a drink, spend time with family and friends, and can wear clothing that is also suitable for everyday wear."
"We have a portfolio of more than 200 products, including pants, balaclavas (headscarves), jackets, and t-shirts," emphasized Bermúdez, who noted, "We export around 2.3 million garments a year."
As part of their expectations, they project expansion and growth of 30%. "The factory is planning to build a new building; we're going to employ more people. We're very happy because it's been a success," he said.
Regarding their participation in the 2nd Nicaragua Exports Forum, he stated that they are showcasing "that in Nicaragua we have a certified, qualified workforce with technical expertise, that Nicaragua is an exporting country, that Nicaragua has a presence in international trade, and that's why we're here."
Meat Exports
The export manager of Carnes San Martín, Salvador Flores, explained that "this helps to further promote Nicaraguan meat worldwide. It's crucial that we continue to encourage and promote these types of international meetings and forums."
He shared that the company's total sales are around $200 million. "It's a very large source of employment and foreign exchange for the country. So, these initiatives are very good."
"We're in the North American market, including Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. China is becoming an important buyer in this meat sector. We've had quite a few visits and meetings with potential clients from China, and we hope it continues," he emphasized.
He described the 2nd Nicaragua Exports Forum as "important for us. It's very important, and we hope it continues to be promoted. We have to promote everything. Nicaraguan beef, which is high quality, has high demand both nationally and internationally and has become very well known."
"The most important qualities that the end consumer appreciates are tenderness, the suppleness of the meat, its color and marbling, and its juiciness. This is something we're working on extensively in San Martín, promoting the fact that these are cattle raised on feedlots, very young cattle, fattened with grains, which results in tenderness, suppleness, and cuts that are highly sought after and desired internationally," he stated.
Coffee Exports
Freddy Oswaldo Rocha, commercial supervisor for Matagalpa Sajonia, explained that "the company's main business is the purchase and sale of coffee. They export green coffee to different parts of the world, and here locally, we have several brands that also contribute to Nicaragua's economic activity."
Other products they promote include cacao, chocolate, barley, and pinolillo (a traditional Nicaraguan drink). The Nicaragua Export Forum noted that this type of event "is beneficial because it also helps companies connect with other businesses that assist with or provide export and import services. We've met packaging suppliers here; they import packaging."
During the coffee harvest season, from October to April, the company employs 700 Nicaraguans, including administrative and production staff.
The 2nd Nicaragua Export Forum 2026 is being held at the Olof Palme Convention Center in Managua on October 15 and 16, 2026. It is jointly organized by the Ministry of Development, Industry and Commerce, the Secretariat for Investment and Export Promotion, and the National Free Trade Zone Commission.
