Market
Raisins (dried grapes, HS 080620) in Panama are primarily an import-driven processed fruit product consumed as a retail snack and as a bakery/food-manufacturing ingredient. UN Comtrade data indicate Panama’s imports are supplied mainly by the United States, Chile, and Turkey, with smaller volumes from China and nearby regional suppliers. Market access is highly compliance-led: pre-packaged processed foods require a sanitary registration, and imports must be pre-notified through the APA/AUPSA import notification system with prescribed documentation. Quality risk management centers on moisture control and contaminant/additive compliance because Panama’s border authorities reserve the right to sample and test imported processed foods (including for mycotoxins and residues).
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market (net importer)
Domestic RoleRetail dried-fruit consumption and ingredient use in bakeries/foodservice
SeasonalityYear-round availability via imports; no domestic harvest seasonality is material to supply.
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighFor prepackaged raisins imported for direct sale, missing or non-enabled sanitary registration and/or failure to submit SISNIA import notification at least 48 hours before arrival can trigger retention, seizure/decomiso, or other enforcement actions under Panama’s processed-food import requirements.Ensure the product’s sanitary registration is enabled and current in the APA/AUPSA system; file SISNIA notification ≥48 hours pre-arrival; verify the document set (invoice, customs declaration, certificates when applicable) matches the shipment.
Food Safety MediumBorder authorities may sample imported processed foods for hazards including mycotoxins, toxic residues, and additive determination; raisins are moisture-sensitive and quality issues (e.g., mould) can increase compliance and rejection risk.Implement supplier QA with current certificates of analysis, moisture control specs aligned to recognized dried-grape recommendations, and additive declarations consistent with product type (e.g., sulphites for bleached/golden raisins where used).
Logistics MediumTransit delays and humidity exposure in sea freight can degrade dried-fruit quality and raise the likelihood of nonconformities, especially for moisture-sensitive raisins in an import-dependent market.Use moisture-barrier packaging and appropriate container practices; align storage/handling to dried-grape preservation needs; plan buffer time around clearance timelines tied to SISNIA and potential sampling.
FAQ
Which countries are the main suppliers of raisins to Panama?UN Comtrade data (via WITS) show the United States, Chile, and Turkey were the top exporters of dried grapes (HS 080620) to Panama in 2023.
What are the key clearance steps Panama importers should plan for when importing prepackaged raisins?Panama’s processed-food import framework requires an enabled sanitary registration for the prepackaged product and a SISNIA import notification submitted at least 48 hours before arrival. At arrival, shipments should be supported by the SISNIA notification printout, sanitary registration, invoice, customs declaration (or pre-declaration), and sanitary/phytosanitary certification when required.
What labeling points matter for importing retail-packaged raisins into Panama?MINSA’s sanitary registration guidance emphasizes Spanish labeling and lists core elements such as product name, ingredients, net content, manufacturer details, country of origin, lot identification, and expiry date, and it references Codex labeling norms. If nutrition labeling is used, MINSA indicates it should be supported by a laboratory study.
Are sulfites or other additives used in raisins, and what should buyers check?OIV’s dried-grape recommendations note sulphur dioxide may be used for bleached (e.g., golden) dried grapes and provides a maximum level reference, and also mentions edible vegetable oil (to help free-flowing product) and sorbic acid for certain “ready-to-use” products. Buyers should verify additive declarations and ensure they align with the product type and the importing country’s permitted-use rules.