During this year’s agricultural period (2022-2023), a significant increase in coffee production is expected in Panama, according to the latest projections of the Ministry of Agricultural Development.

In the province of Chiriquí alone, it is estimated that the harvest of the category could reach 110,000 quintals, an increase between 15% and 20%, compared to that of the previous agricultural cycle (2021-2022)

Grain is expected for the months of December and January.

The areas with the highest production are concentrated in the Renaissance district, where in recent years the coffee plantations have been renovated, which are already beginning to produce the grain. “

We hope that it will be the Renaissance area that will rebound in production. At this point we could have a harvest of 60,000 quintals and Boquete about 30,000 quintals,” explained Alexis Bonilla, in charge of the Mida Coffee Program in Chiriquí. “

We expect a harvest without major setbacks,” Bonilla said, while adding that “the producers have been attentive to giving the corresponding fertilizations” and as an institution they were suggested the management of the shade so that the plantations are not affected by the high cloudiness that could occur in the months, especially in October and November.

Likewise, they have been recommended the implementation of rust-resistant varieties While in the upper parts there is still betting on the production of special coffees with varieties such as Geisha, Pacamara, Catuai, Típica, with good prices on the market.

According to data from the Mida, the coffee park of Panama is approximately 21,000 hectares, of which about 12,400 thousand are Arabic and the rest are robust.

Per capita consumption of coffee in Panama is 5.9 kilograms, a high consumption compared to other countries such as Brazil where it is 5.4 kilograms, or the United States, estimated at 3.7 kilograms.

Producer Francisco Serracín said that an increase in production is also expected at the national level. In this regard, he said that of 130,000 quintals that were harvested in the period 2021-2022, for this harvest cycle production could exceed 200,000 quintals.

The province of Chiriquí is the largest producer with 6,434.99 hectares, cultivated by 1,154 producers, followed by Coclé with 4,715 hectares by 2,210 producers, West Panama with 2,300 hectares by 1,000 producers and