Pineapple exports from Panama grow 37% year-on-year in the first half of 2022

Pineapple exports from Panama between January and June 2022 increased 37% compared to the same period of the previous season, accumulating $4 million, according to Eric Dormoi, National Director of Export Promotion of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MICI). Despite the rise, pre-pandemic export levels have not been reached, because in 2020 revenue from shipments of said fruit totaled $4.6 million and in 2019 $5.6 million.

 

 

 

This season the Panamanian pineapple is destined for 16 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North America and from March to the Caribbean. Among other destinations that were opened for Panamanian pineapple in 2022 are Jordan, Portugal, Curaçao and South Korea.

 

 

 

Domroi mentioned that despite new openings there have been contrasts due to the war between Ukraine and Russia, where pineapple sales have decreased, also affecting Turkey where there was also a decrease.

 

 

 

Víctor Pérez, president of the Panamanian Association of Exporters (APEX), indicated that the first reason for the increase in the value of pineapple exports in Panama is because it is being carried out by air. He specified that in value it can be 80 to 90% more than the value of maritime shipments, but the difference is not significant in total kilos of air exports. The second reason is the increase in the price charged per box, which does not sell for less than $7.