This Tuesday, President José Raúl Mulino sat down face-to-face with Carlos López Flores, president of Chiquita, to review the progress of the plan to revive the banana industry, which supports so many families in the province. Also at the table were ministers Julio Moltó (Commerce and Industries), Jackeline Muñoz (Labor), and part of the advisory team, all seeking one thing: for the province to get moving again… or even better.
2,000 hands go back to work López Flores confirmed that, under various hiring modalities, 2,000 people have already been activated to clean farms, prepare the land, and sweat in the uniform of an industry that never gives up. And this is just the beginning: this very week, the signing of direct contracts will begin, aiming for the formal restart of fruit production and export in January 2026. The goal is clear and direct, as Chiquita's president himself said: "We want to have 5,000 workers in February, working at full capacity."
Better than expected López Flores dropped a phrase that lifted the mood at the table: "The plantation is in better condition than we estimated."
With this, Chiquita is enthusiastic about accelerating the pace to reach full production between February and March. The company projects that by the end of 2026, it will be exporting the same amount of fruit as before that illegal strike that paralyzed operations at the beginning of 2025.
A team effort The president of Chiquita was clear: "The support from the Government has been excellent. It gives us confidence in the country and in our operation." This entire revival is tied to the Memorandum of Understanding signed in August, which has been fulfilled piece by piece. Minister Molto summarized it this way: "On the agricultural issue and the cleaning of the farms, we are proceeding as agreed."
More opportunities for young people and women Minister Jackeline Muñoz celebrated that many of the new positions are going to young people, especially Bocas del Toro women who are returning to the farms with force and determination. "President Mulino is 100% committed to Bocas del Toro and this economic recovery." And deep down, every contract signed, every farm cleaned, and every box of banana that leaves the port again is a clear message for the people: the province is rising again with its own strength and with support so that there is no lack of work on the table. The banana breeze has begun to move in Bocas del Toro again, and with it, the most awaited sound by the people: employment, production, and hope.
