Chiquita resumes operations in Panama after protests halt farms

Chiquita will begin hiring again in Panama after halting operations earlier this year due to protests in Bocas del Toro. The company plans to recruit 3,000 workers in September and another 2,000 in February 2026, restoring a total of 5,000 jobs within six months, according to local media.

Before full operations resume, engineers will inspect the condition of the banana farms, which suffered damage during the shutdown. Initial work will focus on cleaning and maintaining the plantations.

The relaunch follows a memorandum of understanding signed on 29 August between Chiquita and the government. The agreement includes a technical committee to oversee commitments and ensure stability in the sector.

President José Raúl Mulino said the deal will bring back economic security to Bocas del Toro, while Chiquita president Carlos López Flores called it the start of a more sustainable and modern operating model.

The company reported losses of about $75 million during the strike, which a court later declared illegal. Authorities confirmed that new conditions will guide Chiquita’s return to avoid past problems.

source: laestrella.com.pa

photo: enmayuscula.com