Chiquita relaunches Panama banana production with first 2026 harvest in Bocas del Toro

Produce giant Chiquita Panama confirmed it is in the midst of the first banana harvest of 2026. The milestone marks progress in the recovery of the company’s agricultural operations in the country, centered in the El Empalme packing plant, in the province of Bocas del Toro.

“This serves us in two ways: first, to carry out our first harvest focused on the national market, and second, to evaluate the performance of the packing plants after maintenance and repair work,” explained Alexander Gabarrete, spokesperson for the company. 

Currently, between 20 and 30 people work at Chiquita’s El Empalme packing plant. This is all part of the gradual reactivation of the company's operations in the country after closing a dark chapter for the multinational.

This initial phase will allow the company to measure the efficiency of its facilities before moving toward higher production levels.

Chiquita returns after worker strikes

Major worker strikes hit Bocas del Toro in the first half of 2025, leading to mass layoffs of the plantation workforce, the departure of executives from Panama, and the closure of the company’s operations in the country.

After direct negotiations with the local government, the firm resumed work in the area back in November.   

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