Alliaceous vegetables market in Panama

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market for fresh alliaceous vegetables in Panama experienced a gradual decline in total volume, falling from 39 811 t to 37 250 t. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 prompted a shift toward healthier eating, with authorities promoting the consumption of fresh produce. This encouraged local production, which increased by over 50% to 21 966 t, while imports contracted significantly due to supply chain disruptions.

In 2021, the market rebounded sharply to 47 083 t, driven by a surge in both domestic output and import volumes. The subsequent year saw a substantial correction, with the market shrinking by more than one-fifth to 37 128 t as production and imports both retreated from their 2021 peaks.

By 2023, market volume had stabilized around 36 000 t. Early 2024 data showed a recovery in imports, reaching 14 791 t. During this period, vegetable prices in Panama rose notably, reflecting inflationary pressures on fresh produce, while distribution hubs like Merca Panamá continued to support the local supply chain.

Production alliaceous vegetables in Panama

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of alliaceous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of alliaceous vegetables, 2017-2020

In 2020, Panama produced 21,966 tonnes of alliaceous vegetables, marking a 54.4% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 91.9%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 24.3%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with an 8.0% drop.

Annual dynamics of production in Panama in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports alliaceous vegetables from Panama

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Panama's export volume of alliaceous vegetables was 0.1 tonnes, showing little change from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 94.9%, resulting in an annualized decline of 62.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Panama in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Jamaica was the dominant destination for Panama's alliaceous vegetable exports in kind, consistently representing 95.1% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Panama in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Panama exported alliaceous vegetables worth 0.2 thousand US dollars, with minimal change compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 94.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 62.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Panama in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017–2020, Panama's alliaceous vegetables were almost exclusively supplied to Jamaica, which accounted for 95.0% of total exports in value terms.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Panama in value, 2017-2020

Imports alliaceous vegetables to Panama

Imports in kind, t

Panama's imports of alliaceous vegetables in kind declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 15,284 tonnes, a 35.9% reduction from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 32.5%, with an annualized decrease of 12.3%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 24,342 tonnes, following a 7.5% increase that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Panama in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (42.0% of imports in kind), China (17.5%), and the Netherlands (14.6%) were the primary suppliers of alliaceous vegetables to Panama, together making up 74.1% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Panama in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Panama's imports of alliaceous vegetables in value terms totaled 11,607 thousand US dollars, down 18.8% year-over-year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 7.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.5%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 11,130 thousand US dollars, while the peak was in 2019 at 14,290 thousand US dollars, following a 28.4% increase that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Panama in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, China, and the Netherlands were the three principal markets, collectively accounting for 81.9% of Panama's total imports of alliaceous vegetables in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Panama in value, 2017-2020