Exports have experienced one of the biggest drops in sales over the last five years because of the phenomenon of El Niño and other factors, including a lack of policies and several problems in international markets.
In 2015 exports experienced their worst drop since 2011. According to the Office of the Comptroller General, exports amounted to 695 million dollars, i.e. 121 million dollars less than in 2014. Exports in January 2016 decreased by 11%.
The Agricultural Development Commission of the Panamanian Association of Business Executives (APEDA) is concerned about this decline; fruit exports, especially of pineapples, bananas, and watermelons have decreased significantly.
The weather has caused farmers to conduct fewer plantings and the drought continues this year.
