The Institute of Agricultural Marketing (IMA) will host its popular agricultural fairs this Tuesday, January 20. These events are scheduled simultaneously across multiple provinces of Panama to provide affordable food directly to consumers.
Officials from the state-run marketing institute confirmed the nationwide schedule. The initiative represents a continued effort to combat high food prices by selling staple goods at reduced costs directly from producers.
Affordable Staples for Families
Shoppers can expect to find a wide variety of essential goods. The product list includes rice, beans, pasta, cooking oil, salt, bread, sugar, grains, vegetables, eggs, tortillas, chicken, plantains, meat products, apples, and other fruits.
All sales will begin at 8:00 a.m. and continue while supplies last. The IMA organizes these fairs as a core part of its mission to ensure food supply and price stability.
“The Institute of Agricultural Marketing (IMA) continues to develop its agricultural fairs with the objective of facilitating the population’s access to products from the basic food basket at low prices,” the institute stated in its official announcement. [Translated from Spanish]
These events are particularly targeted at alleviating household economic pressure. Many Panamanian families continue to feel the strain from a sustained increase in the overall cost of living.
Nationwide Locations for January 20
The fairs are designed for broad geographic reach. They will be held in the provinces of Veraguas, West Panama, Coclé, Panama, Los Santos, East Panama, Chiriquí, Colón, Darién, and Herrera.
Specific locations provide points of access in both urban and rural districts. In Veraguas, fairs are set for the El Alto school in Santa Fe district and the central park in Las Palmas. West Panama’s event will be at the Tres Hermanas Communal House in Cirí de Las Sotos.
Coclé’s fair is at the Central Plaza of El Cristo in Aguadulce. In Panama province, the sale will occur on the grounds of the junta comunal of Las Cumbres.
Other confirmed sites include a location beside the church in Macaracas (Los Santos), areas in Loma del Naranjo and El Llano Nuevo in Chepo (East Panama), and the communal court in Llano Grande, San Lorenzo (Chiriquí). Colón’s event is at the Gobea Sports Field in Donoso, while Darién’s will be at the Santa Fe Communal Board. Herrera’s fair is scheduled for the Municipal Court of Las Minas.
This dispersed model aims to serve the greatest number of citizens possible. It brings affordable goods closer to home, reducing travel burdens for consumers.
Logistics and Consumer Recommendations
The Institute of Agricultural Marketing (IMA) has issued guidance for attendees. Shoppers are advised to bring their personal identity card and reusable bags for carrying their purchases.
These steps are intended to speed up the purchasing process at each venue. The reusable bag recommendation also promotes environmentally responsible practices, the institute noted.
These agricultural fairs form a key part of the government’s social support programs. They directly address food affordability, a component of the broader basic food basket concerns for households.
The IMA has not yet announced the schedule for fairs beyond this Tuesday. The institute typically releases information on a weekly basis, allowing for adjustments based on product availability and regional needs.