Poultry meat and offal market in Panama

Earlier Report Observations

The poultry meat market in Panama opened the period with a volume of 432.7 thousand tons in 2018, edging up to 434.8 thousand tons in 2019. This initial stability occurred under a regulatory framework featuring import tariffs as high as 260% on certain cuts and stringent sanitary rules, which governed foreign supply and protected domestic output.

Market volume then contracted to 380.5 thousand tons in 2020, recovered to 413.9 thousand tons in 2021, and dipped again to 377.6 thousand tons in 2022. A clear upturn followed in 2023, with the market reaching 394.2 thousand tons. This growth was driven by a 12.8% increase in domestic production and a simultaneous 20.5% rise in per capita chicken consumption, which reached 54 kg per person. The sector also navigated challenges from subsidized U.S. imports and the effects of the El Niño climate phenomenon, though farms were adapted to mitigate thermal stress.

By 2024, Panama had consolidated its position as the 12th largest chicken meat producer in Latin America. The market continued to operate within the established tariff and sanitary regulatory environment, which shaped its competitive dynamics throughout the period.

Production poultry meat and offal in Panama

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of poultry meat and offal, 2017-2020

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

Panama's poultry meat and offal production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 365.4 thousand tonnes, down 12.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 7.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 418.6 thousand tonnes, 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

After two years of decline, poultry meat and offal production in Panama increased in value terms. In 2020, output was valued at 473.8 million US dollars, reflecting a solid 13.3% advance compared to the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 12.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 418.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline of 13.1%.

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

Exports poultry meat and offal from Panama

Exports in kind, t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2017, with a 4.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, foreign poultry meat and offal supplies from Panama amounted to 226 tonnes, which is 25.4% weaker than the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 77.1%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 20.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Colombia, Vietnam, and Hong Kong—together absorbed 70.1% of Panama's total poultry meat and offal exports in volume terms.

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

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2017, showing a 5.2-fold swing. In 2020, foreign poultry meat and offal supplies from Panama stood at 293 thousand US dollars, which is 3.3% weaker than 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 289 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline of 80.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 5.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia (52.1% of exports in value terms), Vietnam (11.7%), and Hong Kong (4.3%) remained the principal buyers of poultry meat and offal from Panama, jointly accounting for 68.1% 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 poultry meat and offal to Panama

Imports in kind, t

Panama imported a total of 15 413 tonnes of poultry meat and offal in 2020, down 10.1% year-over-year. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 14 364 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2019 at 17 139 tonnes. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 19.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was by far the main source for poultry meat and offal imports to Panama, accounting for 98.6% of total import volumes.

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 imported 21 851 thousand US dollars worth of poultry meat and offal in 2020, down 12.8% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 9.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 25 052 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 11.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States acted as the main supplier of poultry meat and offal to Panama, consistently absorbing 97.7% 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