Panama has been unable to restore its onion supply despite the exceptional duty-free imports that took place in July.
According to the leader of the Association of Highland Producers, Augusto Jimenez, “there is a distribution problem. So much so, that the national high-quality onion has no way out at the moment. Onion is still expensive as the fiscal sacrifice made by importers is not being transferred to the consumer or retailer," Jimenez said.
Jimenez said that they would hold a meeting with the agri-food chain on Wednesday and that they will ask the Customs Directorate to make the cost of imported onions public to stop speculation.
In addition, Jimenez stressed that producers were afraid of taking out their product to face a competition that affects their income.
"The State has to take care of the national producer and look for a balance in the agrifood chain so that everyone survives."
