El único Panamá - Week 44

Welcome to our weekly series about the uniqueness of Panama!

Panama is a thirsty country!

According to The Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health 2018, published by the World Health Organization (WHO) Panama is the country where the highest proportion of beer consumption was reported with respect to total alcohol consumed, with 77%. Costa Rica was second with 64% and Guatemala with 56%.

Panama was second in wine imports in Central America with $24 million, in 2017. Costa Rica was first with 27 million. Last year, 31% of the import value from Central America came from Chile, 21% from Spain, 11% from the US, 9% from France, 9% from Italy and 8% from Argentina.

In the first quarter of 2018 imports of bottled water by companies in Panama totaled $3 million, and 70% was imported from the US and France.

Remember In Panama, November 2nd is officially a dry day on which you cannot buy any alcohol in stores or restaurants until after midnight.