Panamanian agricultural products much sought after in Europe and the Far East
By Juan Carlos Martinez
Panamanian coffee is much sought after in Europe and the Far East both Taiwan and Japan. In June coffee growers participated in the Specialty Coffee Fair in London. The coffees presented were Panama's top of the line gourmet coffees: Geisha, Catuai and Caturra from the Chiriqui highlands. Panama's Geisha coffee is one of the most sold and most recognized coffees in the international market and has rapidly consolidated itself as one of the highest priced. After the Specialty Coffee Fair in London the next stop for coffee growers, the Japan Special Coffee fair. Some of the participants in Panama's display stand were Hacienda Esmeralda, Carmen Estate Coffee, Rancho Gotta, Los Lajones, and several others.
Coffee growers are also trying to broaden cooperation with international communities and have sent a proposal to the European Union and the government of Taiwan requesting non reimbursable funding to proceed with an ambitious project called the “Coffee Palace” where they want to install a coffee certification laboratory, a “barista” school, among other things. The project is estimated to cost $850,00.00
Another highly sought product from Panama are their melons. Panama's melon production started to increase in 1980 in the province of Cocle due to the gradual opening of the European markets. This year the province of Cocle exported 195 containers of melons to Europe. It fresh, slightly sweet taste has captivated European markets such as Spain, Netherlands, England, Italy and Australia. Watermelons are also quite popular and this year 423.5 containers were shipped. An Ocean container has an average weight of 48 thousand pounds.
The region of Cocle is where most melons, watermelons and domestic squash is grown. The most popular fruit was the melon although in terms of hectares planted watermelon is the biggest crop. It is expected that in late October producers will decide the crop plan and melon will most likely be the biggest crop. However on the downside the melon is a very fragile crop and quite sensitive to climatic change, which is why the exports have been limited.
The season for planting Panamanian melons and watermelons starts in December and the harvesting ends in May. Both fruits are fabulous when they are in season. In the off season they can still be obtained but the taste does not reflect the just off the vine mellow melt in your mouth flavor.
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