Chiquita tests Panama comeback with limited banana output after strike disruption
Chiquita Brands International has begun limited banana production trials in Panama as it works to restore supply following a prolonged 2025 labor strike that halted operations and disrupted exports to global markets, including the United States.
The company is currently producing small volumes of bananas in Bocas del Toro, with all fruit directed to the domestic market as it evaluates operations before resuming exports. Chiquita has not set a timeline for a return to international shipments.
In comments reported by EFE, Alexander Gabarrete, the company’s director, said the company is testing 17 packing plants in Changuinola, western Panama, as part of a phased restart.
Trials focus on quality, logistics
The trial phase aims to evaluate fruit performance and confirm that refurbished facilities meet operational standards after months of inactivity. The company is assessing quality, processes, and logistics before scaling production for export markets.
Chiquita has introduced a revised operating model that includes sharecropping arrangements and third-party contracting as it gradually brings acreage back online. The company has hired more than 1,800 workers in this initial phase and plans to recover about 12,355 acres of production over time.
Strike fallout reshaped Panama supply
The restart follows a nationwide strike that began in April 2025 amid social security reform debates, which forced Chiquita to suspend operations for several months. The shutdown resulted in significant financial losses and widespread layoffs across the banana sector.
Chiquita withdrew its administrative team from Panama in June 2025 as the stoppage continued to impact production and exports. The company had previously urged workers to return to minimize losses tied to the perishable nature of bananas and the broader supply chain.
The current pilot marks a critical step toward restoring export volumes. Once the company validates production systems and meets required standards, it plans to expand output and re-enter international markets.
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