In November 2011 the sector exported $77.4 million, 54% less than the same period in 2010, when exports totaled $143.3 million.
Concern from the fisheries sector is further increased when comparing 2011 figures with 2008, when foreign sales totaled $298.8 million, according to the Controller General of the Republic.
Businesses report that to date they have not seen "the slightest bit of interest by the authorities in boosting the activity."
In the last three years the United States has ceased to be the main destination for Panama's exports.
Figures from the Controller General's Office indicate that the total exports to the U.S. have dropped by almost half since 2008, going from $434.8 million to $211.4 million in 2010.
"Shipments also reduced in volume, in 2008 258.3 million kilos were exported, while only two years later the figure was 141 million kilos.
Such is the 2009 forecast by the Exporting Companies Association of Panama, after analyzing June figures.
Up to the month of June, exports dropped 40%, and the most affected products were melon, banana and watermelon.
"The first half of the year is when we export the most. We won't recover from this steep drop in the remainder of the year", explained spokespersons of the union to Prensa.com.
At the end of the first quarter, $216 million were exported, 50.2% less than during the same period in 2008.
There were 255.5 million kilograms sent abroad, a decrease of 59.1% when compared to the first quarter of 2008, according to data from the Comptroller General of the Republic.
Journalist Rafael Berrocal wrote in Prensa.com: "These figures are a reflection of what happened out in the country.
During the first two months of the year, export value was $125 million, compared to $232 million during the same period in 2008.
According to statistics from the General Accounting Office, the most affected areas were sea products (shrimp with a 59.9% decrease and shrimp larvae with 96.8%).
Raul Carrillo wrote in Laestrella.com.pa: "Melon exports also had a setback with a decrease of 68.4%, watermelon with 59.6% and pineapple with 42.6%.
Shrimp exports went from $5.1 million in the first two months of 2008 to $2 million in the first two months of 2009.
The “weak demand” for shrimp in international markets is a product of the global financial crisis and “bank credit restrictions.” They have been among the causes of the drastic decline in exports.
An article in Laestrella.com.pa reported: "Despite the negative picture of prospects for the sector, the president of the Panamanian Association of Aquaculture (ASPAC), Hans Hammerschlag, said that shrimp exports are beginning to show a "recovery" from the decline in demand in the European and United States markets."
Upon the closing of 2008, 1,497 million kilograms of fruits, meats, shellfish, clothes and petroleum by-products were exported.
Prensa.com reports: "This represented a fall of 4.1% compared to the figures of 2007, according to the data from the General Comptroller’s Office of the Republic. The results contrast with the previous period since, between 2006 and 2007, exports had a growth of 13.4%."