Maize, beans, and rice are the primary source of calories and protein in Nicaragua. Nicaragua has historically had a deficit of both maize and rice, but Nicaragua is a major exporter of beans in the region. Managua is the capital city and largest market.
Chontales and Rivas are major maize and bean assembly markets and serve as a key export gateways to Costa Rica. Rivas is the largest supplier for cross-border trade with Costa Rica.
León in the west and Esteli at north west are large markets with strong trade links to both Honduras and El Salvador. Matagalpa is a key central assembly market for domestically produced maize and beans. Bluefields and Billwi are markets that serves the sparsely populated and chronically food insecure Caribbean coast.