In Panama, the dry season began in November last year and not in December as planned, threatening production because of the shortage of pasture for livestock.

Representatives of the National Cattlemen’s Association (Anagan) reported that they were not notified in advance about the expected change in the cycle because of the Niño Phenomenon, which prevented them from preparing to face the lack of rain in better conditions.

Euclides Diaz, executive secretary of the Anagan, explained to Panamaamerica.com.pa that “… this 2019 the problem is that they did not receive the notice in advance, since there was a probability of between 50 and 60 percent, but they were not informed that the event would take place from November, month in which it stopped raining practically since the last week, which caused an early entry of summer. It is expected that the rains will begin no later than April 20, if this does not happen ‘there will be a much more serious problem.”

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Diaz added that “… There are 34,000 cattle farms in the country, cattle ranchers have been learning the importance of preparing for the dry season that normally goes from December to May, however, ‘in the so-called Niño Years, as long as the warning is given in time we prepare‘.”

CentralAmericaData reports state that between January and September 2018 the main exporter of beef in Central America continued to be Nicaragua, with $364 million, followed by Costa Rica, with $47 million, Panama, with $15 million, Honduras, with $11 million and Guatemala, with $5 million.