Panama has the potential to become a food supplier for the European Community, but the country would have to work hard to meet some of this market's basic requirements as it mainly values the product's quality and timely delivery of orders.
"The export success depends on complying with the requirements and processes," said David Cabrera, regional representative of the Central American Economic Integration Support and Implementation of the Association Agreement (PRAIA).
The Food Procurement expert said that products such as watermelon, cantaloupe, squash, beans, rice, bananas and fruit in general were highly valued in the European Community.
Cabrera did a presentation for more than 200 producers in the province of Chiriqui, who had gathered for the agricultural meeting "A return to the Fields and Food Security", in the framework of the International Fair of David.
The meeting was aimed at producers and exporters of vegetables, fruits, aquatic products, processed products, bananas, watermelons, melons and vegetables, among others.
"We want to encourage them to take this opportunity to market their produce," said Cabrera.
Panama has lagged behind in terms of agricultural exports to the European markets, especially when compared with Costa Rica, which has positioned itself as an exporter to this market, opening the way for other food providers in the region.
However, Cabrera warned, Panama's agricultural community should be properly organized and walk hand in hand with the state sector.
"The European Community is a highly demanding market and the success of Panama will depend on the improvements in the product quality, cultivation techniques and marketing," said and engineer of Iris Santamaría, a producer of the highlands.
The governor of the province of Chiriqui, Hugo Mendez, who was also attending the meeting, said that one of the goals of the current government was to support the agricultural sector so it can increase production for the domestic market and for export.
During his participation in the presentations made this weekend, the producers said they strongly believed that if they innovated and worked together, they would be able to achieve their goals and enter international markets.
Source: laestrella.com.pa