Cooleche Opens a New Plant with an Investment of More than $14 million

The complex, which was inaugurated in Boquerón, Chiriquí, will increase the productive capacity and competitiveness of the sector, with cutting-edge technology.  The Milk Producers Cooperative, Cooleche, inaugurated in Boquerón, Chiriquí, the concentrated animal feed processing plant, at a cost of 14 million, official sources reported in a statement.  “This new plant increases the productive and competitive capacity of the sector, with cutting-edge technology and optimized processes,” said the Minister of Agricultural Development, Roberto Linares.  The processing plant and a solar park, which will provide electricity, make up the Cooleche agroindustrial park, a cooperative that brings together 500 associated producers and contributes nearly 70% of the production of grade “A” milk in Panama.

The Minister of Commerce and Industry, Julio Moltó, said that dairy production is the livelihood of more than 270,000 Panamanians and a fundamental pillar of the agroindustry. “Each liter of milk produced in Panama is the result of the effort, investment and dedication of those who have invested in this sector,” said Moltó.  The government has described the Cooleche complex as a world-class project, which will improve the quality of its concentrates by applying world-class technology to obtain higher yields at farm level and milk with export quality.  In addition, the environmental impact will be reduced, with cleaner production, zero dust emissions, biosecurity of the surroundings and self-consumption of energy from solar sources.

“This investment represents more than the growth of a cooperative, it is a clear vision of the future for our producers,” said Linares. Moltó reaffirmed his commitment to defend Panama’s right to protect its dairy production and maintain its high quality standards. He also stressed that it is time to consolidate a strategic vision to ensure that the Panamanian dairy sector remains a benchmark for quality and development.  “Panama has an unwavering commitment to its national production.  We will continue to protect our productive sovereignty, strengthen our capabilities and firmly defend what is ours,” said the Minister of Commerce and Industry of Panama. 

Moltó also reiterated that the MICI will continue to work responsibly and resolutely in trade negotiations, defending the interests of the sector and ensuring fair conditions for Panamanian producers.  Moltó stressed that protecting dairy production is not only an economic issue, but also a matter of public health and food safety.  But “that does not mean closing ourselves off to trade, but rather demanding fair conditions for our producers and ensuring that the Panamanian market is governed by fair rules that respect our regulations,” Moltó concluded, stressing that “Panama’s high health and quality standards are a national asset that cannot be put at risk.”