Economy, Manufacturing and Mining

Manufacturing contributes 14 percent of the nation’s GDP. Major industries include cement, agricultural chemicals, petroleum products, metal processing, beer and soft drinks, food processing, and other consumer goods. The country has sugar refineries, small textile mills, and coffee-processing plants that produce instant coffee. Industrial production remains below the levels of the mid-1970s and is designed to meet local needs.

Mining is a minor part of the economy. Gold and silver mines are located in the northeast and near Leon. Most production is exported. Nicaragua has reserves of copper, tungsten, lead, and antimony, but these are not currently in production.