Multinational said volume is projected to 15mn boxes as it continues to reactivate farms in the province
Chiquita expects to export 11mn boxes of bananas from Bocas del Toro in the coming months following the resumption of operations in the province after last year’s strike. The multinational has projected a shipment volume of almost 15mn boxes for the coming year.
The announcement was made during a tour of one of the farms in the province by Chiquita CEO Carlos López Flores; Panamanian president José Raúl Mulino; minister of commerce and industries, Julio Moltó; and agricultural development minister, Roberto Linares.
During the visit, officials had the chance to experience operations at the 200ha plantation, which is one of 20 farms currently in production. There are approximately 5,000 productive hectares in Bocas del Toro generating around 6,000 direct jobs, depending on production levels.
Mulino noted that the industry’s reactivation represents an opportunity for the Bocas del Toro economy, though he emphasized that the crisis that previously affected the sector should serve as a lesson to strengthen the industry and ensure its long-term sustainability.
Carlos López Flores said Chiquita is focusing its operations on increasing production at active farms.
“My administrative and operational team is here to ensure we produce at least 15mn boxes next year,” he said, adding that production growth will depend on bringing more hectares into production and creating new jobs.
During the event, Mulino also announced the upcoming launch of the ‘Mi Primer Empleo Rural’ (My First Rural Job) programme, aimed at young people in Bocas del Toro to provide them with access to paid work experience.
