Imported onions arrive early, Panamanian producers warn of pressure on local agriculture.

According to a January 28 report by Panama's Star News, data from the National Customs Service of Panama (ANA) shows that the annual import quota for fresh onions is 1,077 metric tons, effective until December 31 of this year, but the quota was completely used up within the first five days of January. The Highland Producers Community Association pointed out that this "concentrated import" caused an oversupply in the market in the short term, directly impacting the sales of local onions. The association also stated that the currently imported onions were produced in the Northern Hemisphere from August to September last year, and by the time they entered the Panamanian market, their freshness had already significantly declined, and their overall quality was inferior to that of the onions recently harvested locally. Based on this, the association urges consumers to make rational choices and prioritize purchasing domestic onions to obtain agricultural products that are more assured in terms of freshness and food safety. The association emphasized that strict adherence to the current technical regulations for fresh onions is necessary. The regulations clearly state that onions must not be stored at room temperature for more than 60 to 75 days from the date of harvest. Based on the harvest date of the imported products, some of the onions currently entering the market may no longer meet the above technical requirements. Therefore, relevant agencies should immediately intervene and conduct necessary inspections, hygiene controls, and qualification investigations. Regarding import permissions, the association specifically clarified that although it belongs to the Potato and Onion Agricultural Products Industry Chain Committee, the association itself does not have the authority to approve, reject, or modify any import permits. Fresh onions are classified as sensitive agricultural products, and their import is subject to a special pre-licensing and tariff quota system, with the relevant approval and management authority exercised by legally authorized agencies. The association further explained that its participation in the import process within the agricultural supply chain is limited to setting technical standards and proposing import quantity recommendations based on the domestic supply and demand situation. The association will only propose relevant recommendations when it is predicted that domestic production cannot meet market demand. Finally, the association called for increased transparency and strict adherence to regulatory regulations, reaffirming its commitment to defending domestic production, respecting the existing legal framework, and promoting the standardized management of tariff quotas, while emphasizing the importance of ensuring food security and providing transparent information.