Reference Date: 28-January-2026

Main paddy and maize 2025 season crops estimated above average, due to large plantings

The harvest of the 2025 main paddy crop is currently heading to completion. Remote sensing imagery in December 2025 indicated average crop conditions, although localized dry spells between August and December affected crops in key producing central and western provinces (VHI map). The area sown, concentrated by 60 percent in key producing provinces of Chiriquí, Panamá Este and Coclé, is estimated to be above average, driven by higher year-on-year prices at planting times. Imports of rice have been banned from June to December 2025 ( Executive Decree 14 ) with the aim to protect domestic production from international competition, contributing to increase the extent of planted area. As a result, paddy outturn is anticipated above the five‑year average.

Harvesting operations of the 2025 main season maize crop, mostly concentrated in provinces of Veraguas and Los Santos, are currently underway. Average to above average crop conditions are reported in western areas and yield prospects are favourable, while dry weather conditions in part of Los Santos Province in November 2025 have caused localized crop losses. Output is anticipated at a slightly above‑average level as high prices in August and September 2025 resulted in large plantings.

Tariffs removal from August to December 2025 boosted yellow maize imports

Imported cereals cover about 55 percent of total cereal consumption needs. Cereal import requirements in the 2025/26 marketing year (July/June) are anticipated at a near‑average level of 786 000 million tonnes.

Yellow maize accounts for about 70 percent of the total cereal import requirements. Driven by the increasing demand from the domestic feed industry, yellow maize imports are anticipated above average in 2025/26, boosted the renewed suspension of import tariffs on maize from August to December 2025 . The phase‑out of tariffs on maize imports in 2026, in accordance with the United States of America‑Panama Trade Promotion Agreement of 2012 , is likely to further increase imports of yellow maize in the first half of the year.

Following the introduction of the ban of the Executive Decree 14, imports of most categories of rice in 2025/26 are forecast at a below‑average level. Also, wheat imports are anticipated at below‑average levels, on account of ample carryover stocks from large imports in 2024/25.

Prices of maize and rice above levels of previous year

Wholesale prices of maize declined in October and November 2025, pressured by the increased availability of grains following the minor season harvest. In December 2025, prices of maize were stable and slightly higher year‑on‑year, due to a moderate contraction in imports compared to the previous year.

From May to December 2025, wholesale prices of rice remained stable, reflecting an adequate domestic supply from the above‑average 2025 harvest . Compared to one year earlier, prices were about 10 percent higher in December 2025, due to the rise in production costs in view of the end of the Price Compensation Plan in April 2025.

Disclaimer: The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of FAO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

This brief was prepared using the following data/tools:
FAO/GIEWS Country Cereal Balance Sheet (CCBS) https://www.fao.org/giews/data-tools/en/ .

FAO/GIEWS Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Tool https://fpma.fao.org/ .

FAO/GIEWS Earth Observation for Crop Monitoring https://www.fao.org/giews/earthobservation/ .

Integrated Food Security Phase Classification https://ustr.gov/uspanamatpa/agriculture (IPC) https://www.ipcinfo.org/ .