Browse Data and Analysis

This report offers U.S. exporters of agricultural and related products valuable insights on conducting business in Panama. In 2024, exports of U.S. agricultural and related products to Panama reached approximately $942.6 million.

On June 9, 2025, the Israeli Ministry of Environmental Protection published a request for public comments on changes to the Deposit Law on Beverage Containers.

Changes to Panama's import requirements reflected in this report are for pork, dairy products, seafood and rice. A new law establishes the inspections and food safety regulations for food products.

Panama recognizes the certificates and standards of the U.S. regulatory and sanitary inspection system, based on the United States – Panama Agreement regarding certain Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures and Technical Standards affecting Trade in Agricultural products, of December 20, 2006, simplifying requirements for the importation of U.S. food and feed products. Panama accepts electronic certificates.

On February 2, 2025, the Government of Israel published the “Public Health Protection (Food) (Food that is an Alcoholic Food), 2025 Regulation.” Under this regulation, the Ministry of Economy’s authority over alcoholic beverages was transferred to the Ministry of Health.

In 2024, Israel's technologically advanced, market-oriented economy achieved an annual GDP of $541.8 billion, with a modest growth of 0.9 percent. The food retail industry saw significant activity, with sales reaching $21 billion in 2024 and a projected growth of 5 percent in 2025.

Israel will continue to rely on imported feed and grains as it uses land and water resources for more cash crops. Due to poor weather conditions, Post forecasts Israel’s marketing year 2025/26 wheat production down (due to poor weather conditions) and imports up as production was limited.

This report provides information to U.S. exporters of agricultural and related products on how to do business with the Food Processing industry in Panama. It is primarily a service – based economy, but food processing is one of its top industries.

On March 27, 2025, the Israeli Ministry of Justice and the Israeli Ministry of Health published a request for public comments on changes to European Union Directive 1999/2/EC related to reporting requirements in food and food ingredients treated with ionizing radiation.

On February 27, 2025, the Israeli Ministry of Justice and the Israeli Ministry of Health published a request for public comments on changes to European Union regulation No 1169/2011 related to the provision of food information for consumers.

On February 26, 2025, the Israeli Ministry of Justice and the Israeli Ministry of Health published a request for public comments on changes to five European Union regulations related to labeling (including messages and prohibited and restricted substances in food) and food improvement agents.

On February 5, 2025, the Israeli Ministry of Justice and the Israeli Ministry of Health published a request for public comments on the domestic application of changes to the Annex to European Union Directive 396/2005, amending the regulation for the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for pesticides in food and feed of plant and animal origin.