Panama's banana industry is at a critical juncture, marked by a strike that has paralyzed operations and affected the entire production chain. The situation intensified after Chiquita suspended activities and laid off thousands of workers, generating tension and discontent in the region.
An exporter in the sector, who preferred to remain anonymous, summed up the situation: "Chiquita took a break in its operations and dismissed 4,500 people. They continue on strike and want the authorities to declare it a legal strike. However, a judge has already declared it illegal.
The strike has lost some of its strength but continues to impact export routes, resulting in delays in shipping fruit to international markets, including Europe and the United States. "The strike hurts exports. Chiquita suspended its operations, and now we're all trying to adapt," he stated.
"This hurts us all. Even national restaurants no longer have chicken or meat, and gas is scarce," he stressed. The lack of basic supplies and intermittent blockades are affecting domestic logistics, causing a domino effect that compromises local supply and the viability of exports.
The strike may be weakening, but sporadic blockades persist. "Now they sporadically unblock the roads three hours in the morning and three in the afternoon, but it is very complicated to understand what they want," he says, hinting at a lack of communication and coordination between the parties involved.
The workers expect to achieve fair compensation for their dismissal, but the situation remains uncertain. "They want the strike to be declared legal to be entitled to better compensation," he says. However, the company is not obliged to reinstate them, which generates frustration and discouragement in the community.
The strike has also had a relevant international impact. Since Panama is a supplier for the European and US markets, the interruption of exports directly affects product availability and contract fulfillment.
Nobody knows when or how things will return to normal. The union's lack of official information and the sector's secrecy make it hard to make projections.
