Agricultural trade shifts: Spain leads EU tomato sales as Panama opens citrus markets

Spain remains the leading supplier of tomatoes to the European Union for the period between January and May 2026, accounting for 24.03% of the total EU market. Despite maintaining its top position ahead of Morocco and the Netherlands, Spanish tomato sales have decreased by 42.21% compared to 2017 levels.

In Panama, a new agricultural initiative has launched in the Guna Yala region. The project, a collaboration between the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA), the Institute of Agricultural Innovation of Panama (IDIAP), and local authorities, aims to multiply seeds and vegetative material for crops including rice, corn, cassava, sweet potato, yam, and plantain.

Additionally, Argentina has secured access to the Panamanian market for citrus exports. Following technical negotiations between Argentine sanitary services and Panama's Ministry of Agricultural Development, the agreement allows for the export of fresh and chilled lemons, mandarins, oranges, and grapefruits. Argentine authorities view Panama as a high-potential market to diversify their international agro-industrial exports.