(Freshplaza.com)
In its effort to promote exports of goods, Panama now looks to the Nordic countries and the Caribbean for 2012.
Both regions are the spearhead that will follow the Directorate of Export Promotion of the Ministry of Trade and Industry next year, after official figures revealed progress.
In August of 2011, the value of exports amounted to 529.2 million dollars or 2.6% more than last year when there were 516.0 million dollars, according to statistics from the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic.
In the Nordic countries, Panama aims to reach the five nations that make up northern Europe: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. While in the Caribbean, destinations to conquer are Aruba, Curacao, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, among other islands.
Panamanian export supply lies in fresh fruit. So pineapples (considered the sweetest in the world due their high brix-) have great acceptance in each of the markets in question, along with other fruits such as melon, watermelon and guava, among others.
Ricardo Barnett, director general of Export Promotion, said that in the case of the Nordic countries two seminars will be held to provide assistance and training to succeed.
In the case of Caribbean markets, he said, it is a different story, because during a trade mission conducted in late August, it was found that there are companies that import Panamanian goods to the U.S. to then send fresh produce to the islands. This fruit is arriving several days after and does not have appropriate or optimal conditions to be sold or consumed. Its quality is greatly deteriorated due to the long time in transit through Miami, the official said.
Source: Laestrella