Thrip plague affects melon and watermelon production

This year, the Thrip plague decreased the Panamanian watermelon and melon production destined for export by 15%, adding to the existing logistical problems to dispatch its products to the Netherlands, Germany, and the United States and the high price of agricultural inputs.

Thrips or Thysanoptera (Thysanoptera) are an order of small Neopteran insects, sometimes called thrips or spiders. Their diet is almost exclusively vegetables or mushrooms. Some species are beneficial insects, but others cause severe damage to fruits, veg and flowers.

Besides, in 2022, the sector faced a lack of space in containers to be able to export due to a significant rise in freight rates: when before it was paid between $4.000 and $4.500 per container, today the price has risen to $8.000, which in the end affects the profitability of exporters, according to Ricardo García Salas, president of the Union of Non-Traditional Agro-exporters of Panama (Gantrap).

The other problem is the delay of the ships that directly affects the state of the fruits.

The increased costs of inputs also impacted the situation. For example, the price of the corner pieces used in the boxes to separate the fruit increased from $0.75 to $1.25, while the boxes that used to cost $1.62 today are sold for $2.20.

According to Francisco Antúnez, former president of Gantrap, around 1.300 containers were shipped this agricultural year, a number much lower than in 2019, when they totaled around 5.000. The export activity has practically ended, leaving only a remnant of melon in the Tonosí region, Los Santos province.

However, despite the setbacks, the former president projects a 10% growth in agro-export activity for this 2022, compared to 2021.

source: tvn-2.com