Panama’s peppers OK for US

THE USDA has given the green light for Panama to export peppers to the US, with effect from 22 September. Specific varieties included are: bell, cayenne, cherry, chili, garden, Hungarian, Italian sweet, mango, paprika, pimento, red, sweet red, tabasco, bird, rocoto, apple chile, yellow lantern and bonnet. The imports will be subject to inspections in Panama, where growing, packing and shipping facilities will all be checked for pests to avoid introduction into the US. However, a flood of imports is unlikely as Panama’s global exports of peppers last year were a mere 29 tonnes.