Panama's fresh produce exports, specifically its pineapple, papaya, and watermelon exports, have increased significantly in recent years thanks to the growing demand for tropical fruits in Europe and North America.
Climate change has been a considerable challenge for agriculture in Panama. "Alterations in weather patterns, such as La Niña and El Niño, have impacted fruit production and quality," stated Danis Santana, general manager of Panama Squash Co.
This year, Panama Squash Co. tripled its pineapple, papaya, melon, watermelon, and squash exports thanks to new negotiations and strategic alliances with clients in Europe, the Caribbean, and North America.
Varieties such as MD-2 pineapple and Tainung papaya have gained popularity in demanding markets such as England and Spain, which prioritize the product's freshness and consistency in flavor and texture. The company also exports Quetzalí, Joya, Fascination, and Prestige watermelons to England, Spain, and Romania.
"To ensure the quality and consistency of the products during transport, Panama Squash Co uses controlled atmosphere containers, ozone recyclers, and constant temperature monitoring. The company has started to implement new technologies, such as tolerant seeds and advanced irrigation methods, to mitigate the effects of the climate," Santana stated.
Panama Squash Co currently ships 6 to 8 containers of pineapple a week to Europe and America. Moreover, the company increased its capacity to export 2 containers of papayas per week. In high season, it exports 8 to 10 containers of melons and watermelons a week (8 containers of watermelons and 2-3 containers of melons). In addition, it exports 4 containers of squash per week which it sends to Europe and the United States.
"Pineapple prices are variable and influenced by the international market. The company manages negotiation windows to obtain good prices; the best months for Panama regarding export prices are November, December, January, and February. The highest price peaks occur in these months because there's a lower supply of pineapples, particularly when our main competitor, Costa Rica, has lower production," Santana stated.
"In the 2024 season, the price of a box of watermelon reached 40 to 50 euros per box at some points of the year. However, due to climate change, there were quality issues so on some occasions we had to offer discounts of up to 6,000 euros per container, even leading to losses this season", Santana said.
The company has certifications such as Global GAP and FISMA for the United States. "Regular training for local producers has allowed us to improve agricultural practices, ensuring that the quality and sustainability of the products are maintained throughout the process," Santana added.
Panama Squash will be present at the Fruit Attraction fair in Madrid. You can find them at Propanamá's stand in Hall 4, Stand 4E17.
For more information:
Danis Santana (general manager)
Panama Squash Co
Calle del Estudiante, Pese
Herrera, Panama
Tel.: +507 6782 3739
Email: [email protected]
www.panamasquash.com