The large-scale reactivation of banana operations in Panama’s Bocas del Toro Province is moving forward steadily. Representatives from Chiquita Panamá confirmed the company has already hired 1,800 workers as part of its return to the region. Ongoing maintenance work at farms and packing plants continues alongside harvests currently serving the domestic Panamanian market.
This hiring surge forms the initial phase of a plan officials say will eventually support 5,000 jobs. The broader goal is to fully restore the area’s international export capacity, a critical economic engine for the province that had been idled. Field labor, maintenance crews, and harvest teams are being brought on progressively as each farm is prepared for full operation.
Visible Improvements in Plantation Conditions
Company representative Alexander Gabarrete pointed to clear physical signs of recovery in the key growing area of Changuinola. He stated that plantations are regaining their former health and appearance as rehabilitation work advances day by day.
“One sees the plantations much cleaner every day, with the usual green we had before the activity closed. This is a signal of confidence to continue reactivating the activity here in the area,” Gabarrete said. [Translated from Spanish]
All fruit harvested currently supplies Panama’s national market. The strategic focus remains on methodically rebuilding both workforce and agricultural infrastructure. This careful approach, according to company statements, is designed to ensure future export fruit meets the required quality standards for international shipment.
The hiring and farm-by-farm restart strategy aims to secure a stable production pipeline. Success here would mark a significant comeback for a major regional employer and exporter. The parent company, Chiquita Brands International, has a long history in the area’s banana production sector.
Local authorities and the company are also coordinating on security measures to protect the crop from theft, a concern for any agricultural operation. This collaboration underscores the broader economic importance of the sector’s return to Bocas del Toro. The planned expansion to 5,000 jobs would represent a major infusion of employment for the province.
Progress continues as fields are cleared and packing facilities are readied. The full return to exporting Panamanian bananas to global markets depends on achieving consistent harvest volume and quality. For now, the sight of greener, cleaner plantations offers a tangible sign of recovery for the community. Further updates on the chiquita panama restart can be tracked as the company moves toward its next hiring targets.