Panama's banana exports achieved good results in 2020, despite the evolution of the pandemic. The producing region of Baru, province of Chiriquí, and Bocas del Toro increased their exports of this fruit by 7%, going from exporting 18,577,393 boxes in 2019 to 19,884,215 boxes of bananas in 2020, at an average price of 7.66 balboas per box.
As reported by the National Director of Bananas of the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA), Carlos Motta, Bocas del Toro and the region of Baru have nearly 8,600 hectares dedicated to the production of bananas that generate around 200 million balboas in foreign currency and more than 8,600 direct jobs.
According to reports provided by MIDA's National Banana Directorate, the leading exporting companies were Chiquita Panama, with 14,923,442 boxes; Ilara Holding Inc, with 2,640,903 boxes; Banapiña, with 1,505,747 boxes, and Coobana, with 814,123 boxes.
Motta highlighted that Panama's banana industry had maintained a good rate of exports to Belgium, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Germany. He also said the country had also sent the fruit, although on a smaller scale, to China, Korea, and the United States.
Source: elsiglo.com.pa