According to official sources, the company expects to restart its operations in Changuinola by February 2026 at the latest, through a phased process that will restore thousands of jobs in the region. The first stage will see around 3,000 workers reinstated to prepare plantations for production, followed by a second phase that will create a further 2,000 jobs in harvesting and packing.
The decision comes after negotiations between the Panamanian government and Chiquita Brands International. President José Raúl Mulino even travelled to Brasília to meet with the company’s owners, underscoring the strategic importance of the banana industry for the country’s economy.
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Chiquita plans to invest approximately US$30 million in restarting its operations, a move seen as a crucial boost for the sector and a relief for the Bocas del Toro region, which has been severely affected by the suspension of activity.
With this announcement, Panama reaffirms its position as a key player in the global banana trade, with the crop remaining vital both for local employment and for the country’s export balance.
