Market
Kidney beans (a dried pulse) in Panama are primarily a domestic consumption staple supplied through import channels. UN Comtrade data (via WITS) shows Panama imported HS 071333 (dried kidney beans, including white pea beans) in 2021, with the United States as the leading supplier and Canada and Argentina also supplying. FAOSTAT records Panama production for the broader category of dry beans, but trade data indicates Panama functions as an import-dependent market for kidney beans specifically. Market access and continuity of supply are therefore strongly shaped by import documentation, border inspection outcomes, and landed-cost logistics.
Market RoleNet importer (import-dependent consumer market)
Domestic RolePrimarily consumed domestically; supply is materially import-reliant for kidney beans (HS 071333).
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighFailure to align the shipment with Panama’s MIDA (DNSV) phytosanitary import requirements (including the applicable import permit/licence and required phytosanitary documentation for the specific product-origin pathway) can trigger border holds, mandated treatments, or refusal of entry.Verify the product–origin-specific MIDA DNSV requirements before contracting; run a pre-shipment document and labeling checklist with the importer, and ensure phytosanitary paperwork matches the shipment identity (product, origin, lot, weights).
Logistics MediumAs an import-dependent market for kidney beans, Panama is exposed to ocean-freight cost volatility, container availability, and clearance delays that can raise landed costs and disrupt retail/wholesale continuity.Use buffer inventory planning, diversify origins where feasible, and align shipment timing with importer warehouse capacity and customs/SPS clearance lead times.
Food Safety MediumLots with evidence of living insects, excessive foreign material, or other quality defects can fail buyer acceptance and may face intensified inspection actions; Codex pulse standards emphasize freedom from living insects and hazardous filth, and Panama authorities coordinate inspections of imported food products.Require origin-side cleaning/sorting and pest-control documentation, implement lot-level sampling before shipment, and maintain dry, pest-controlled storage and transport conditions.
FAQ
Which HS code is commonly used for dried kidney beans in trade statistics relevant to Panama?HS 071333 is the standard 6-digit HS reference for dried kidney beans, including white pea beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). This is the code used in UN Comtrade/WITS reporting for Panama’s kidney bean imports.
What is the most critical compliance step to avoid border delays when shipping dried kidney beans to Panama?Ensuring the shipment matches MIDA (DNSV) phytosanitary import requirements for the specific product and origin—especially the required import permit/licence and phytosanitary documentation—because mismatches can lead to holds, treatments, or refusal of entry.
Which countries have supplied Panama with dried kidney beans in recent UN Comtrade data?In 2021 UN Comtrade data (via WITS), Panama’s HS 071333 imports list the United States as the leading supplier by value, with additional supply from Canada and Argentina among others.