Panama: Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Country Report

Consumers continue to perceive U.S. food products as high quality, wholesome and reliable, which has resulted in a continuous growth in demand. The U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement entered into force on October 31, 2012, and the United States – Panama Agreement regarding certain sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical standards affecting trade in agricultural products, of December 20, 2006, established simplified requirements for the importation of U.S. food and feed products. Amendments to this bilateral agreement have facilitated U.S. beef, beef products and pet food exports to Panama. Panama imports 60% of all its agricultural product needs from the United States. On March 30, 2021 Panama eliminated the Panamanian Food Safety Authority (formerly AUPSA in Spanish) and created the Panamanian Food Agency (APA in Spanish) to manage the procedures for all imports, exports and local food industry production into an online single window.