https://newsroompanama.com/2025/08/31/more-confidence-in-panama-is-the-reason-that-chiquita-is-returning/

The announcement came as a welcome change to banana growers in Bocas del Toro: the multinational Chiquita will return to production in Panama, raising hopes for economic recovery and more jobs.  “We are excited about the agreement reached with Chiquita to return to production in Panama,” said Juan Alberto Arias, president of the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP).  The return of this agricultural giant is no small feat.

“It means that one of the largest multinationals in the agro-industrial sector is once again placing its trust in and investing in Bocas del Toro,” Arias added, noting that this province is considered a sacred land for global banana production.  According to official figures, Panama exports more than 18 million boxes of bananas annually, establishing itself as the country’s number one export. With the arrival of Chiquita, this figure is expected to grow even further.

Direct Impact on Communities. 

The news was greeted with joy in Changuinola and Almirante, where thousands of families depend on this activity. “Panama has the capacity, the human talent, and the fertile land to be a leading player in the global banana market,” said producers and workers interviewed.  In addition to creating jobs, the company is expected to implement a “more sustainable, modern, and efficient” operating model, which would generate development for banana-growing communities and generate confidence for new foreign investment.

A Lesson Learned

However, Arias noted that progress depends on respect for the law: “If there hadn’t been an illegal strike, workers wouldn’t be unpaid today, and exports wouldn’t have stopped,” he emphasized.