São Paulo, August 19, 2024 – ABPA celebrates Panama opening its market for Brazilian poultry and pork, a major development announced today by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. This move is set to significantly boost trade relations and create new opportunities for the Brazilian animal protein industry.
The Panamanian Food Agency, akin to Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, has acted on a sectoral request from the Brazilian government made in 2023. This decision aligns with ABPA’s goal of expanding Brazilian meat exports, facilitating access to a market with high demand for poultry and pork.
With a population of 4.4 million and a thriving tourism sector, Panama exhibits one of Latin America’s highest per capita consumptions of chicken meat, approximately 54 kilos per person in 2023, according to the Instituto Latinoamericano del Pollo (ILP). Pork consumption stands at 12.6 kilos per capita, as reported by FAOSTAT. In 2023, Panama imported 15,500 tons of chicken meat and 17,000 tons of pork, primarily from North America, based on USDA data.
The opening of Panama’s market provides Brazilian producers with a vital opportunity to diversify their export destinations and complement Panama’s local protein production, which amounted to 218.4 thousand tons of chicken meat in 2023, according to ILP.
Ricardo Santin, President of ABPA, remarked: “ABPA celebrates Panama opening its market for Brazilian poultry and pork as a significant achievement. This development will enhance product diversity in Panama and generate new opportunities for both Brazilian and Panamanian stakeholders. It marks another international success for Minister Carlos Fávaro and his team, fostering valuable partnerships for our poultry and pig farming sectors.”
The ABPA remains dedicated to supporting the Brazilian animal protein industry, focusing on sustainable growth and exploring new export opportunities in Central America.