There is no doubt that for some producers the US market (US) has become the target market for their export products.
Something that is taking more and more strength, as producers are seeking for higher returns and to increase their income.
Danis Santana, an electrical engineer by profession, has been exporting products for 18 years. 10 years ago he became an independent and created the Squash Panama company, which has exported 25 containers of squash to Miami, USA, so far this year.
The squash (or pumpkin) is harvested in the province of Herrera, Los Santos and Cocle, and it is shipped in containers filled with 40-pound bags of squash, which are sold for 11 $, and 45 pound boxes, which are sold for 13 $.
From 2006 to date, the company has exported 452 containers to the US, i.e. 45 shipments per year, or a container per week. Each container has the capacity of transporting 1,150 of these cucurbits which are harvested in three varieties: creole squash, de pico squash, and arjuna squash.
According to Santana, exporting to the US has many benefits; his company contributes to the local economy 20 jobs, 5 in the plant and 15 in the field, most of which are occupied by mothers from the region.
The company mainly exports squash to the US, but they also ship green plantain, yucca, pineapple, and yam to that country; as well as pineapples and squash to Canada, and watermelons to Romania.
More support is needed
Carlos Marin and Luis Gonzalez, who grow pineapples and watermelons, said the government should give more support to small producers in the form of loans so that they can make improvements to the fields and buy the necessary equipment to achieve a better production.
A source at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MITI) said that, on Friday, they would announce the details of the creation of a one-stop shop for producers where they could do all the paperwork without having to go to other institutions to acquire their export permits.
He added that they would hold a conference in September so that exporters could improve their shipments.
