Citrus fruit market in Panama

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for citrus fruit in Panama expanded strongly from 86.4 thousand tons in 2018 to 125.0 thousand tons in 2020. This growth was driven by state-backed financing from the Agricultural Development Bank, which supported local fruit producers, and sustained promotional campaigns by the Ministry of Agricultural Development to increase fruit consumption. Simultaneously, rising tourism and a growing foreign resident population boosted domestic demand for tropical fruits, including citrus. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated the trend toward healthier eating, raising fresh fruit consumption in 2020.

After peaking in 2020, the market adjusted to 120.2 thousand tons in 2021 and 116.5 thousand tons in 2022, before stabilizing at 117.8 thousand tons in 2023. Local citrus production held firm under the leadership of processors like Cítricos, S.A., and the wholesale channel Merca Panama continued to provide a steady outlet for fresh fruit. Climatic heat and drought that impacted pineapple output—a related tropical fruit—could have indirectly shaped supply conditions for citrus during these years.

Production citrus fruit in Panama

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

Panama's citrus fruit production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 117 784 tonnes of citrus fruit, marking a 5.9% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 45.8%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 13.4%.

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

Exports citrus fruit from Panama

Exports in kind, t

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

From 2017 to 2020, Panama's citrus fruit exports in kind were almost entirely directed to France, which accounted for 100.0% of the total export volume.

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

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Panama's citrus fruit exports in value terms were almost exclusively tied to France, with its share reaching 100.0% of the 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 citrus fruit to Panama

Imports in kind, t

Panama's citrus fruit imports have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the import volume reached 7 281 tonnes, representing a 35.9% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 121.2%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for Panama's citrus fruit imports in kind were Peru (50.1% of imports), Spain (19.4% of imports), and Chile (12.8% of imports). Together, these three countries accounted for 82.4% of the total import volume.

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

Panama's citrus fruit imports have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 8 455 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 42.6% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 115.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 29.2%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the primary markets for Panama's citrus fruit imports in value terms were Peru (46.1% of imports), Spain (18.8% of imports), and the United States (16.8% of imports). Collectively, these three countries represented 81.7% of the total import value.

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

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