In 2024, Panama exported 6,500 containers of teak tucas, representing 9% of the Hindu market, the largest consumer of this type of wood worldwide, but, despite this achievement, exports in tucas continue to decline, according to Bianca Morán, president of the Panamanian Association of Exporters (APEX).
Morán highlighted that the forestry sector faces an imbalance between the oversupply of low-quality teak and the growing demand for premium teak, which requires strategies to diversify markets and products.
“10 years ago, the price difference between low and high quality wood was three times; now that difference is 20 times per cubic meter,” he stressed.
Morán assured that the company Ecotopia has been a pioneer this year with the production of envelopes under international standards and the construction of the first industrial solar dryers for sawn wood worldwide.
In addition, Panama expanded its sawn timber exports to Europe, although sales decreased due to the recession in Germany, however, the first containers were recently sent to the United States and Italy, diversifying commercial destinations.
“Participation in international fairs such as Carrefour du Bois in Nantes, France, and Metstrade in Amsterdam, Holland, allowed Panamanian exporters to establish contacts to expand their network of distributors to new countries,” reported the president of APEX.
Morán emphasized the potential of the Panamanian forestry sector, highlighting that in the next 10 years the country could become a world leader in the production of high quality teak, with exports valued at hundreds of millions of dollars per year, however, he said that this will only be possible if the authorities facilitate the development of the sector.
“The current situation with MiAmbiente obstructs these advances, so the transition to MIDA is essential to manage forest management. Thousands of jobs in Darién depend on these plantations, and most of the owners are retirement funds that need a return on investment to guarantee future reforestation,” Morán warned.