Panamanian producers continue to export peeled plantains to Miami

This year, the 15 containers of peeled plantains were exported from Bocas del Toro, Panama, to Miami, Florida, United States. It was achieved with the help of the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA), through the phytosanitary certification of agro-export granted by the National Directorate of Plant Health (DNSV).

According to the official of MIDA Plant Health in Bocas del Toro, Eduardo Anderson, each container carries 920 bags of 50 pounds (22.5 kilos), each vacuum packed.

He stressed that in 2020 they sent 28 containers of plantains, and by this year they have already exported 15. It is expected to exceed the previous figure, since every week one container is exported through the Ara Food Corporation, a Miami company, which pays $10 for the unit.

This activity generates labor in the region, and enables 37 small producers to benefit, since the plantain that is exported is of the cuerno rosado variety, named guágara, a very small plantain that is not marketed locally due to its size.

In addition, the husks serve as a component to prepare organic fertilizer, and it is used to feed livestock and coatis.

Plant Health inspects the containers, verifies that they comply with the requirements of the international standard, and observes the handling of the waste packaging machine - all the control is carried out so that it arrives clean in the US.

Anderson reported that in June they await the arrival of US personnel to make an inspection at the bottling plant to verify sanitary controls.

source: mida.gob.pa