The Association of Producers from Tierras Altas (ACPTA) said that importers and merchants of the potato and onion Agrifood Chain had been trying to increase onion prices by stating that there was a shortage of domestic onions and that they had requested the government to excuse them from paying taxes for onion imports.
The ACPTA said that Tierras Altas alone had enough production to supply the country for the next sixty (60) days; this is without taking into consideration the national onion production from other areas, such as Boquete, Nata, Herrera and Los Santos.
"Unlike previous years, and based on technical standards, importers and traders related to the potato and onion Agricultural Food Chain cannot import old, expired, or discarded onions, which benefits Panamanian consumers. In addition, the country has established and implemented a Protocol with the Netherlands regarding expired onions," the group said in a press release.
Source: panamaamerica.com.pa