APEX forecasts a 10% growth in Panamanian exports, excluding copper, in 2025.
- January 30, 2025
- 9:02 am
The main national export products are bananas, shrimp, fish, coffee, rum, and teak wood, among others, which have found strategic markets in the United States, the Netherlands, Taiwan, India, and China.
National goods exports (excluding copper) totaled $1.3 billion at the end of 2024, an estimated 10% growth compared to the previous year (2023). For 2025, this momentum is expected to continue despite the circumstances of the international context.
This was stated yesterday by the president of the board of directors of the Panamanian Association of Exporters (APEX), Bianca Morán, during the inauguration of her leadership for the 2025-2026 term. “This year (2025) is very challenging because it is a year of global economic recession, but all exporters have the goal of growing. Last year, we grew by 10% excluding copper, and this year we expect to maintain that growth rate (10% excluding copper),” the businesswoman estimated.
Morán emphasized that with these figures, Panama positions itself as a resilient and constantly evolving country. However, she noted that it is crucial to recognize that, although these numbers are significant, they remain “modest” compared to other countries in the region, whose export volumes represent what they achieve in just one month.
We have been a success story in the export of services, remaining at the forefront and becoming the envy of the region. Let’s bet on goods to generate quality products and improve the distribution of wealth in our country,” Morán emphasized during the inauguration of APEX's new board of directors.
At the same time, Morán stated that despite these limitations, the progress Panama has made in recent years cannot be ignored, particularly in key sectors such as fishing and agroindustry, which have shown significant growth.
She detailed that in the last three years, the fishing sector increased its share of national exports from 13% in 2021 to 25% in 2024, while the agroindustry raised its participation from 17% to 26% in the same period.
These numbers reflect Panama’s potential to diversify and strengthen its export offerings without copper,” Morán stated while breaking down the main national export products and key markets.
The main export products, according to Morán, are bananas, shrimp, fish, coffee, rum, and teak wood, among others, which have found strategic markets in countries such as the United States, the Netherlands, Taiwan, India, and China.
However, “we are still too dependent on basic products, and we must move toward the export of goods with higher added value and differentiation, as demonstrated by successful examples in pharmaceuticals, detergents, custom liquors, and specialized packaging,” Morán expressed.
Job engine
Exports are also an engine of employment. Currently, they contribute more than 100,000 jobs nationwide, although there are 24,000 fewer salaried workers than in 2012 and an increase in informality. in crescendo (aumentando progresivamente).
Exports are also an engine of employment. Currently, they contribute more than 100,000 jobs nationwide, although there are 24,000 fewer salaried workers than in 2012 and an increase in informality.
Bianca Moran
President of the Board of Directors of APEX
This was stated yesterday by the president of the board of directors of the Panamanian Association of Exporters (APEX), Bianca Morán, during the inauguration of her leadership for the 2025-2026 term. “This year (2025) is very challenging because it is a year of global economic recession, but all exporters have the goal of growing. Last year, we grew by 10% excluding copper, and this year we expect to maintain that growth rate (10% excluding copper),” the businesswoman estimated.
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