Panama Authorizes Import of 32 million Quintales of Coffee

News from Panama / Friday, May 13th, 2011
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So much for Panama exporting coffee, we cannot grow enough so now we are importing it for local consumption.  CentralAmericaData.com recently published this article.

The Cabinet Council has authorized the importation of 32 million quintales of coffee due to shortages.
The Cabinet Council gave permission to the Commission for Licensing of Contingency Tariffs to place a request for an ad hoc quota to meet the coffee shortage in the amount of 32 million quintales.

The announcement of the cabinet decree was supported by the Minister of Agriculture, Emilio Kieswetter, who said the import period for this contingency measure will be from June 20, 2011 to September 15, 2011.

The Minister also reported that that quota will be identified as raw material and import customs duty of 3% of the value of the cost of insurance and freight (CIF) will be payable .

According to the decree in question companies entitled to participate in the quota are those coffee millers and roasters authorized by the Ministry of Commerce and Industries who conform with all current regulations.