The Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA), in a recent session of the Agri-Food Chain of Potato and Onion, sanctioned the importation of four potato containers from Canada, addressing the shortfall faced by certain Panamanian enterprises. The importation plea was lodged by the Association of Merchants and Distributors of Foodstuffs and Similar Goods of Panama (ACOVIPA).
In the assembly, convened to scrutinize existing import regulations for potatoes and onions—staples in the Panamanian diet—the predicament of the potato containers stalled at the Customs Directorate pending authorization for their dispersal was deliberated. Roberto Linares, the Minister of Agricultural Development, impelled the assembly to adopt resolutions advantageous to both consumers and producers. Linares further suggested a forthcoming inventory to assess the stock of these commodities, particularly post the severe rainfall from October to December 2024, which impaired local yield.
The assembly recommended the prompt release of the potato containers and endorsed an import of 20 thousand quintals for February and March 2025 to mitigate the potato deficit. Lorenzo Jiménez, president of the Tierras Altas Community Association, acknowledged the shortfall and backed the decision to unleash the containers to ensure consumer supply, affirming that the production sector would remain unaffected by this action.
Officials from MIDA, the Panamanian Food Authority (APA), and various potato and onion producer associations, along with representatives from ADIPA, ANDIA, Customs, and Plant Health, were present in the meeting, indicating a collective effort to address the supply issue.
Source: Newsroom Panama