Activity in the Colón Free Zone underpins trade growth in Panama

The reexports of the Colón Free Zone recorded a cumulative year-on-year growth of 26.5% through July. Domestic consumption and reexports sustained the advance of Panamanian trade during the first seven months of 2026. Imports of consumer goods increased, while sales of new vehicles and the activity of the Colón Free Zone showed upward results. The Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) reported that this performance responded to the recovery of regional merchandise flows and greater household demand. The figures appear in the Economic Situation Report through July 2026, prepared by the Directorate of Public Policies and Socioeconomic Analysis. Panama's commercial activity grew between January and July 2026 due to two factors: the Colón Free Zone raised its reexports amid greater regional demand, and the local market increased purchases of vehicles, fuels, and other consumer goods. The data come from the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC) and the Superintendency of Banks of Panama. Sedans took second place, with 1,275 additional units. Pickup trucks recorded an increase of 559 units. (Illustrative image Infobae) The reexports of the Colón Free Zone recorded a cumulative year-on-year growth of 26.5% through July. Since March, monthly amounts exceeded $1,000 million and expansion rates remained in double digits. The year-on-year increase for July reached 35.9%. According to the MEF, the evolution was linked to the reactivation of intraregional exchanges and an increase in orders from the main commercial destinations. Venezuela contributed an additional $256.2 million to the growth of reexports. Costa Rica added $204.7 million and the United States, $167.9 million. The list of markets that drove the activity also included El Salvador, with $105.3 million; Honduras, with $102.2 million; Guatemala, with $98.8 million; Ecuador, with $97.6 million, and Nicaragua, with $96.4 million. Machinery and electrical appliances led the advance by type of merchandise. That group increased $467.3 million, equivalent to 52.9%, driven by the movement of computer equipment, including computers and printers. A miniature shopping cart with packages on a backlit keyboard illustrates the concept of e-commerce. (Illustrative image Infobae) Pharmaceutical products added $365.4 million. Clothing contributed $246.3 million and perfumes and cosmetics, $167.2 million. Footwear recorded an increase of $130.2 million. Beverages and liquors completed the standout categories with an additional $104.8 million. The Ministry of Economy and Finance document indicated that the behavior of these categories reflected a broader commercial recovery and demand distributed across various markets in Latin America and the Caribbean. The domestic market also showed signs of greater consumption. Cumulative sales of new vehicles reached 36,452 units through July, a year-on-year increase of 9.7%. Sport utility vehicles, known as SUVs, accounted for most of the increase. That segment sold 1,486 more units than in the same period of the previous year. A metal cargo container at a port shows the flag of Panama painted on one of its sides, with rivets and metal textures visible in the foreground. (Illustrative image Infobae) Sedans took second place, with 1,275 additional units. Pickup trucks recorded an increase of 559 units. Greater access to financing accompanied the expansion of sales. The balance of loans for automobile purchases increased 10.9%, according to the figures included in the report. Imports of consumer goods increased 21.6% in value and 16.0% in volume. Fuels and lubricants led that variation, with an increase of 53.3% in value. Household utensils increased 14.0%. Semi-durable goods grew 3.8% and non-durable goods, 1.4%. The cumulative dispatch of fuels for the Panamanian market advanced 13.1% during the first seven months of the year. The movement included higher sales of 91 and 95 octane gasolines, diesel, and liquefied petroleum gas. The report also recorded higher volumes of av-gas, aviation fuel, kerosene, asphalt, lubricants, and coal. These results accompanied the general evolution of economic activity and household consumption.