Although exports of dairy products have grown in the last two years, producers say that local production and domestic consumption have stagnated.
The Central Reserve Bank recorded record figures in the export of dairy products during the past year, adding up to $30 million, and in the first five months of 2018 sales abroad already add up to $12 million.
In 2017, countries in the region purchased from abroad $38 million worth of vaccines for animal use, and 71% were imported by companies in Guatemala, Costa Rica and El Salvador.
Figures from the information system of the Vaccine Market for Veterinary Use in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData : [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
According to the sector's union, in 2017 consumption of milk and its derivatives reached 212 liters per capita, 33% above the level recommended by international health agencies.
According to the National Chamber of Milk Producers (Caprole), growth in milk production recorded in the country in recent years, is explained by an increase in domestic demand and a rise in exports to Central America and the Caribbean.
In Panama, between January and May of this year, the slaughter of 231 thousand head of pigs was recorded, 10% more than was reported in the same period in 2017.
The FAO food price index grew 1.9% year-on-year, due to the increase in prices of dairy products and cereals.
From the monthly report on the FAO food price index:
The FAO Food Price Index* (FFPI) averaged 176.2 points in May 2018, up 2.2 points (1.2 percent) from April level and hitting its highest level since October 2017.
Figures from the sector's union show that in the first quarter of 2018 the country bought 1,645 tons of meat from abroad, 10% more than was registered in the same period in 2017.
It has been announced that after having met all the requirements, the country has officially obtained recognition as a nation free of Classical Swine Fever.
In 2017, trade in milk and dairy products among countries in the region amounted to $306 million, 2% more than what was sold in 2016, and the highest value in the last six years.
Figures from the Information System on the Milk and Milk Products Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
Between January and March of this year, 130 million kilograms of pork were produced in Panama, and the price per pound paid by consumers exceeded $4.25.
Production in the first quarter of 2018 amounted to 130 million kilos, and slaughters exceeded by 4% the figure reported in the same period in 2017, according to figures from the Comptroller General of the Republic.
Through the treaty the Israeli market will have preferential access to Panamanian products such as vinegar, coffee, palm oil, beef, cassava, flour and beer, among other things.
The Panamanian government reported that "...In the framework of a meeting between the president of Panama, Juan Carlos Varela and the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, a Free Trade Agreement and a Memorandum of Understanding on agricultural matters was signed."
Due to the costs generated by the transport of cattle, business leaders in the sector and state entities have announced the creation of a cattle auction in Turrialba, province of Cartago.
According to business leaders in the area, they currently trade in places such as Puriscal or in the Caribbean, and the cost of transporting livestock, added to other unforeseen events and the weight that the animals lose on to the trip, causes losses of around $100 per animal.
Entrepreneurs in the sector plan to resume sales to El Salvador and Honduras during the second half of the year, after their restriction in 2011.
In 2011, countries in the region imposed restrictions on the entry of pork from Guatemala, after detecting the presence ofClassical Swine Fever.Now, Guatemalan pork producers are preparing to resume sales in the coming months.
The Salvadoran government has stated that there are no instructions to establish import tariffs on Salvadoran products in any Honduran government institution.
The union for the sector reports that from January to March of this year, they have exported 1,200 tons of beef, and this year they expect to sell abroad around $22 million worth.
According to authorities at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG), during the first quarter of the year there have been good numbers in sales abroad, reporting average exports of 400 tons per month.
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