Panamanian banana exports grew 7.1 percent so far this year, accumulating 242,840 tons.
The director of the sector in the ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA), Jose De La Lastra, told news organization El Pais that good management, technological improvements, and an increase in hectares have contributed to the growth in the last three years.
Sales are predicted to add another 138,000 tons in 2021, ending the year 5 percent above last year, with revenues estimated at $200 million.
MIDA stated that there are 19,768 acres planted this year, employing 33,000 workers.
In 2020, Costa Rica and Guatemala topped the list of the main exporters of fresh or dried bananas in Central America, followed by Honduras, Panama and Nicaragua, as indicated by CetralaméricaData.com.
The U.S. was the main destination for this product with 65 percent of sales, which were also marketed in the Netherlands (10 percent), the UK (4), Belgium (3), Italy (3), Germany (2) , Spain (1) and Portugal (1), according to the publication.