agriculture

Banana industry has terrible year

Exporters said that their problems will continue this year as the industry remains troubled.

la prensa

going down: Panama’s banana exports fell dramatically in 2008 as a result of several problems facing the industry.1145999

The banana export sector went through one of its worst years in 2008 as numerous issues, including flooding in November that caused substantial problems for farmers, caused production to plummet.

Estimates indicate that there will be a 20 percent reduction in the amount of bananas produced in 2008 as compared to 2007. In the first 11 months of the year, there were 17.7 million boxes of bananas exported to foreign markets, mainly to Europe, reflecting a decrease of 2.7 million boxes.

The industry generated an estimated $92.8 million, $9.2 million less than the previous year.

The crisis has impacted growers on both the Pacific and Atlantic sides of the country. Some 5.5 million boxes of bananas were produced by growers on the Pacific side, some 20 percent less than in 2007. Meanwhile, growers on the Atlantic side, where the bulk of production takes place, produced 12.1 million boxes, a 10 percent decrease.

Sixto Quintero, a representative of the banana cooperative Coobana in Bocas del Toro, said that the situation is more serious than the 2008 figures indicate because of the damage caused by the November floods.

He noted that, of the 550 hectares of bananas overseen by Coobana, 52 have already been lost because of the flooding and another 40 hectares are also expected to be ruined.

Before the flooding, Coobana exported 25 containers of bananas per week, and now is only filling eight to 10 containers.

Además en Herald

• 2008 crime rate conflicts with new security reforms
• Banana industry has terrible year
• Calm returns to Veraguas town
• Ministry unable to help farmers
• Poll: trucks not being operated safely
• Chiriquí town shuts down unhygienic dump
• Court orders council not to buy building
• Officials mull changes to school calendar
• Colleges attract foreign students