Chicken meat and offal market in Panama

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, Panama's chicken meat market volume remained stable at over 220 thousand metric tons, supported by dominant local producers and significant imports from the United States. In 2020, market size fell to 194.9 thousand metric tons as production dipped to 182.7 thousand metric tons, a decline linked to the COVID-19 pandemic's disruption, although consumption dynamics held firm amid strengthened sanitary oversight.

Production rebounded by 8% in 2021 to 197.6 thousand metric tons, recovering from the pandemic low while per capita consumption stayed high. After a contraction to 193.4 thousand metric tons in 2022, the market grew again in 2023 to 202.1 thousand metric tons, driven by a 12.8% expansion in poultry output and a rising consumer shift toward convenient frozen chicken products.

Panamanian chicken consumption per capita reached about 41.7 kg in 2023, among the highest in Latin America. The market operated under a 2019 decree that declared beef a sensitive product, indirectly shaping protein competition, while ongoing differentiated import tariffs and strict food safety regulations maintained quality standards throughout the period.

Production chicken meat and offal in Panama

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

Panama's chicken meat and offal production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 182.7 K t, representing a 12.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 7.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 209.3 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 5.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of decline, Panama's chicken meat and offal production value increased in 2020. The output was valued at 235.8 M $ US, marking a significant 13.2% gain relative to the prior year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 13%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 208.3 M $ US, which also experienced the largest annual decline of 13.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Panama in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports chicken meat and offal from Panama

Exports in kind, t

Export data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Panama exported 226 t of chicken meat and offal in 2020, showing a 25.4% decrease compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 77.1%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 20.4%. From 2017 to 2020, exports varied significantly, with a 4.9-fold difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2020.

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

Throughout the 2017–2020 period, Colombia, Vietnam, and Hong Kong were the key partners for Panama's chicken meat and offal exports in kind. Colombia accounted for 48.3% of exports, Vietnam for 15.5%, and Hong Kong for 6.4%. Together, these three destinations represented 70.2% of total export 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

Market behavior showed considerable volatility during these years. Panama exported 291 K $ US of chicken meat and offal in 2020, corresponding to a modest 3.5% decrease compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 289 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 80.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 4.5%. From 2017 to 2018, exports swung dramatically, with a 5.2-fold difference between the maximum in 2017 and the minimum in 2018.

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

Over the 2017–2020 period, Colombia, Vietnam, and Hong Kong were the leading destinations for Panama's chicken meat and offal exports in value terms. Colombia accounted for 52.2% of exports, Vietnam for 11.7%, and Hong Kong for 4.4%. Collectively, these three markets represented 68.2% of total export value.

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

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

Imports chicken meat and offal to Panama

Imports in kind, t

Panama imported 12 825 t of chicken meat and offal in 2020, equivalent to a 9.1% contraction compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 6.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 11 169 t, while the maximum occurred in 2019 at 13 669 t. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2019 at 22.4%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the United States remained the almost exclusive supplier of chicken meat and offal to Panama, accounting for 99.5% 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 chicken meat and offal import volume registered 12 825 K $ US, showing a solid reduction of 13.9% compared with 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 8.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 14 900 K $ US, which also saw the largest annual increase of 12.5%.

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

In the 2017–2020 period, the United States remained the overwhelmingly dominant supplier of chicken meat and offal to Panama, accounting for 99.5% of total imports 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