Market
Panama is an import-dependent consumer market for fresh table grapes. UN Comtrade data via the World Bank WITS platform shows Panama imported about USD 20.77 million (about 7.19 million kg) of fresh grapes (HS 080610) in 2024. WITS partner data indicates Peru and Chile are leading suppliers to Panama, followed by the United States and Mexico. Plant-product imports are subject to phytosanitary/quarantine controls under Panama’s Ministerio de Desarrollo Agropecuario (MIDA) and customs documentation requirements under the Autoridad Nacional de Aduanas.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market (net importer)
Domestic RolePrimarily a retail and foodservice consumption fruit category supplied mainly via imports
Risks
Phytosanitary Compliance HighNon-compliance with Panama’s phytosanitary/quarantine controls for plant products can lead to holds and corrective measures up to and including rejection, re-export, confiscation, or destruction after inspection and document review under the MIDA/DECA import license and quarantine framework.Before shipment, confirm the product- and origin-specific import phytosanitary requirement pathway with MIDA, secure any required phytosanitary import license in advance, and align exporter documentation and packing to Panama entry inspection expectations to avoid corrective actions at arrival.
Logistics MediumFresh grapes are quality-sensitive in transit; clearance delays (inspection queues, documentation issues, or port/terminal dwell) can reduce saleable quality and increase costs (storage/reefer power/demurrage).Plan arrivals with buffer time, use experienced import brokers, pre-file documentation where possible, and align reefer logistics and delivery appointments to minimize dwell time after arrival.
Documentation Gap MediumMissing or incorrect customs documentation (e.g., commercial invoice details, bill of lading, or permits for restricted imports) can delay clearance and increase costs.Use a pre-shipment document checklist matched to Panamá Digital/Aduanas requirements and verify consignee details and shipment descriptors (quantity/weight/description/value) on the commercial invoice.
Supply Concentration MediumPanama import supply is concentrated in a small set of origin countries (notably Peru and Chile in WITS/UN Comtrade partner data), increasing exposure to origin-side disruptions (weather, port disruptions, export availability, or compliance events).Qualify at least one alternate origin program (e.g., U.S. or Mexico) and maintain flexible sourcing windows to manage seasonal and disruption-driven gaps.
FAQ
Which countries are the main suppliers of fresh grapes to Panama?UN Comtrade partner data via the World Bank WITS platform shows Peru and Chile as the largest exporters of fresh grapes to Panama in 2024, followed by the United States and Mexico.
How large is Panama’s fresh grape import market in the latest available year shown here?World Bank WITS (UN Comtrade) reports Panama imported about USD 20.77 million of fresh grapes (HS 080610) in 2024, totaling about 7.19 million kg.
What are commonly referenced documents and permits for importing fresh grapes into Panama?Panamá Digital guidance for the Autoridad Nacional de Aduanas lists a commercial invoice and bill of lading as core documents, plus any required permit for restricted imports. For plant products, Panamá Digital also describes a MIDA/DECA phytosanitary import license process and quarantine inspection framework that may include document review and technical measures at entry depending on the product-specific import requirements.