According to Eric Dorrmoi, National Director of Export Promotion of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MICI), in the first half of the year, Panamanian pineapple exports increased in value by 37% over the same period of 2021, totaling 4 million dollars, approaching pre-pandemic export levels.
So far this year, Panama has exported its pineapple to 16 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North America, and the Caribbean, Dorrmoi stated.
"In March, the MICI and exporters from different sectors visited Curaçao where they had very punctual meetings with buyers. As a result of this mission, the country has been able to export several containers with pineapples to the Caribbean since March," Dormoi stated.
Victor Perez, president of the Panamanian Association of Exporters (APEX), said that the main reason that the value of pineapple exports in Panama had increased is that they are being shipped by air. "Their value can be 80 to 90% higher than the value per box or per kilo of a maritime shipment. Even though the percentage in total kilos of air exports is small, its impact is important,” Perez said. In addition, the price of a box of pineapple has increased, exceeding $7.
Source: anpanama.com