From January to August 2024, elbananas accounted for 13.8% of the total products exported by Panama, despite a decrease in production.
This export represents about $88.1 million, said to Panama America, the lic. Eric Dormoi, National Director of Export Promotion of the Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI).
On the other hand, the United States is leading Panama’s main export destinations with a 19.8% share of the total. Followed from the Netherlands with 10.5%; Taiwan 10.5%; India 5.9%; China 5.5%, Columbus Free Zone 4.3%; Costa Rica 4.1%; Denmark 4.1%; Mexico 3.7%; and the United Kingdom with 2.8%. These partners account for 74.4% of the total shipments.
Dormoi mentioned that apart from the decline in banana exports, there was also a decrease in products such as palm oil, cast iron or steel waste, teakwood, fresh watermelons, rum, copper waste, frozen boneless beef, locally produced lubricating oils and edible fresh or chilled beef offal.
In addition, in the first eight months of 2024, the country’s total exports reached $860.6 million, of which $637.3 million corresponds to exports of registered goods and $223.2 million to value-added exports from special regimes (free zones and the Panama Pacific Special Economic Area).