Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Panama functions as an import-dependent consumer market for dried black beans within the broader trade of dried Phaseolus beans. UN Comtrade data via the World Bank WITS portal shows Panama imported USD 6.77 million of HS 071333 (dried kidney beans, incl. white pea beans; Phaseolus vulgaris) in 2023, with the United States and Canada as the largest reported suppliers by value. Market access risk is driven by Panama’s phytosanitary import requirements for products of plant origin (including grains) administered by the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA) through its plant health authority, which can require pest-risk analysis and specific entry conditions. For branded, prepackaged retail beans, an additional food-import registration/inscription process under Panama’s food-import authority (AUPSA) may be relevant prior to commercialization.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market
Domestic RoleStaple dried-legume food product supplied via domestic production and imports; imports are material in trade statistics for HS 071333.
Specification
Supply Chain
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighNon-compliance with Panama’s phytosanitary import requirements administered by MIDA’s plant health authority (DNSV)—including cases where a pest risk analysis (ARP) is required for the specific grain/legume product and origin—can delay clearance or prevent entry.Before contracting, confirm the exact MIDA DNSV import requirements for the HS/product description and origin, and align exporter documentation (including any required phytosanitary certification and additional declarations) with those conditions.
Documentation Gap MediumImport-request documentation gaps (e.g., unclear product identification or mismatched origin/supplier details) can prolong MIDA DNSV review and any required ARP workflow, delaying shipment release.Use a pre-shipment dossier checklist that matches MIDA DNSV’s stated import-request data needs (product common/scientific name, origin/provenance, supplier) and keep documents consistent across invoice, packing list, and phytosanitary paperwork.
Regulatory Compliance MediumIf the product is sold as a branded imported food item, failure to complete the applicable AUPSA inscription/registration procedure can create commercialization or compliance obstacles even after physical arrival.Confirm whether the intended product presentation (bulk commodity vs. branded prepackaged retail) triggers AUPSA inscription/registration, and complete the process ahead of first shipment for each SKU/label variant as required.
FAQ
Which authority sets phytosanitary import requirements for plant-origin products such as grains and legumes in Panama?Panama’s Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA), through its plant health authority (Dirección Nacional de Sanidad Vegetal, DNSV), publishes and administers phytosanitary import requirements intended to prevent the introduction of regulated pests.
What does UN Comtrade data indicate about Panama’s imports of dried Phaseolus beans (HS 071333) in 2023?UN Comtrade data accessed via the World Bank WITS portal reports that Panama imported about USD 6.77 million of HS 071333 in 2023, with the United States and Canada reported as the top suppliers by import value.
Could an AUPSA procedure apply to imported packaged beans sold in Panama?Yes. Panama’s food-import authority (AUPSA) has a documented process for inscribing/registering imported foods, which may be relevant for branded, prepackaged bean products intended for local commercialization.