---
title: "Panama Rice Producers Reject New Imports as Stocks Rise to 4.8 Million Quintals"
date: 2026-04-13
author: ""
url: https://panamadaily.news/panama-rice-supply-imports-rejected/
categories:
  - "Business"
  - "Economy"
  - "News"
tags:
  - "agricultural production"
  - "Fapagrap"
  - "food supply"
  - "Panama economy"
  - "Panama rice"
  - "rice imports"
---

# Panama Rice Producers Reject New Imports as Stocks Rise to 4.8 Million Quintals

## What Happened

Panama has enough rice to cover national demand and will not need new imports, according to the Federation of Rice and Other Grains Producers Associations of Panama, known as Fapagrap. The group said updated inventory figures show the country is well supplied and that rice already in the system will support the local market.

Fapagrap said national rice inventory will reach 4.8 million quintals by May 20, 2026, up 1.3 million quintals from the 3.5 million recorded on the same date in 2025. The producers’ group said that increase is enough to guarantee availability for consumers across the country.

## How the Inventory Grew

The federation linked the larger inventory to rice that entered the country in 2025 outside the formal chain. It said about 550,000 quintals came through four mills, another 550,000 through the Institute of Agricultural Marketing, or IMA, and 111,000 additional quintals were imported by mills in January. Another 64,000 quintals of milled rice paid tariffs, bringing the total to nearly 1.3 million quintals.

According to Fapagrap, that extra volume now forms part of the national supply. The producers’ group said the rice is already inside the system and available for consumption, dismissing concerns about shortages.

## Why The Debate Matters

The discussion comes amid growing tension in the rice chain over import planning and production costs. Last week, during an extraordinary meeting of the rice agrifood chain, representatives of the National Association of Rice Millers proposed studying an import quota for October this year. Their argument was tied to higher production costs, especially after rising fuel prices.

Analmo president Ivanna Quintero said the proposed volume, around 1.5 million quintals, would respond to the country’s current needs. Producers rejected that position, saying there are no problems with planting or future harvests.

At the same time, growers acknowledged that production costs are rising by 20% and said compensation measures are needed to prevent consumer prices from going up. The dispute highlights the balance Panama faces between protecting local production, keeping rice affordable, and ensuring supply stability for one of the country’s most important staple foods.

## What This Means For Consumers

For households, the producers’ message is straightforward: there is no risk of rice shortages in the market. The federation said the crop is already in the country and emphasized that food security must be managed responsibly. Its leaders said the available supply is sufficient to keep shelves stocked and meet demand nationwide.

The disagreement between millers and producers is likely to keep rice policy under close watch in the coming months, especially as the country weighs production costs, import needs, and the impact of any future price pressures on consumers.