Aquaculture

The aquaculture sector in Colombia is characterized by the inclusion of good practices in terms of sustainability and production, which has made it worthy of international recognition. This has positioned it in several markets, being the main supplier of tilapia for the United States.

Portfolio

Tilapia (silver and red), rainbow trout, and shrimp farming.

Certifications:

HACCP, Best Aquaculture Practices, Farmed Responsibly ASC, Global GAP

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Why buy in Colombia

  • Colombian production is internationally recognized and consumption of its supply is growing to such an extent that it is the leading supplier of fresh tilapia to the United States.
  • Colombia has adopted programs oriented towards clean and eco-sustainable production, aimed at 4 fundamental factors: food safety, animal welfare, social development and environmental sustainability.
  • Colombia is the first country to receive group certification for good aquaculture practices, certification granted by the Global Aquaculture Alliance. The recognition highlights the effort of the entire chain in improving its production practices.
  • During the decade 2008-2018, employment generation in the aquaculture sector registered an average annual increase of 5%, between direct and indirect.
  • Colombia has a medium-high suitability of 9.2 million hectares for shrimp farming and 18.4 million for tilapia farming.

Fish fillets

USD 49.5 million.

Fish fillets

Fish fillets 8 countries.

Fish fillets

  • Fish fillets United States (89,7%)
  • Perú (3,6%), Canadá (2,8%)
  • Ecuador 1,4%)
  • United Kingdom (1,4%)

Fish fillets

USD 997 thousand.

Shrimps and prawns

USD 997 thousand.

Shrimps and prawns

2 countries.

Shrimps and prawns

  • Shrimps and prawns United States (67,8%)
  • Peru (30,6%)
  • Honduras (0,6%)
  • Spain (0,6%)
  • Honk Kong (0,2%)

Shrimps and prawns

2 exporting companies.

Other fresh, chilled or frozen fish

USD 8.7 million.

*The totals for each sub-sector consider aquaculture and fisheries exports.

Other fresh, chilled or frozen fish

8 countries.

Other fresh, chilled or frozen fish

  • Other fresh, chilled or frozen fish United States (80,3%)
  • United Kingdom (12,4%)
  • Germany (2,5%)
  • Slovakia (1,5%)
  • Canada (1,4%)

Other fresh, chilled or frozen fish

USD 8.7 million.

*The totals for each sub-sector consider aquaculture and fisheries exports.

Aromatic Herbs

Aromatic herbs stand out for their versatility in terms of uses, which go beyond culinary, as they are also recognized for their medicinal powers, hence they are also in demand by both the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. In terms of species, the most produced in Colombia are basil, chives, dill, laurel, marjoram, mint, oregano, rosemary, thyme, coriander, sage and cardamom in different areas of the country.

Portfolio

The most commercialized species are: basil, chives, mint, laurel, oregano, rosemary, thyme.

Certifications:

Organic, Global GAP

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Why buy in Colombia

  • In Colombia there are approximately 400 species of aromatic and medicinal plants.
  • The sector generates more than 40,000 direct and indirect jobs per year. It is an activity developed by small and medium producers.
  • 80% of these species are sold fresh and for culinary purposes.

Aromatic Herbs

Exports exceeded USD 42.4 million.

Aromatic Herbs

11 countries.

Aromatic Herbs

  • United States (90,9%)
  • Canadá (5,6%)
  • Panamá (1,3%)
  • Belgium (1%)
  • France (0,3%)

Aromatic Herbs

74 exporting companies.

Cocoa

The Colombian cocoa is recognized in the world for its characteristics of flavor and aroma, being part of the select group of special cocoa. In addition, the sector is an engine of employment generation, sustainable development, environmental and economic in the country.

Portfolio

Cocoa beans, cocoa powder, Nibs, cocoa liquor, cocoa butter, coatings, fine chocolates, chocolate confectionery and inputs for the cosmetics industry.

Certifications:

Organic, UTZ, FairTrade, Rainforest Alliance, HACCP, Kosher

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Why buy in Colombia

  • According to the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO), 95% of the cocoa produced in Colombia is fine and aromatic, a distinction granted only to 5% of the beans produced worldwide.
  • Its excellent quality has been awarded in renowned international specialized events such as the International Cocoa Awards and the Chocolate Fair.
  • This is a product grown mainly by small and medium producers linking more than 52,000 families
  • The cultivation and processing of cocoa in Colombia consolidates peace and development in the regions, which is why it has been prioritized by the National Government and International Cooperation for the implementation of projects aimed at increasing productivity and improving the quality of life of producers.
  • The palette of Colombian cocoa flavours is directly related to the wide spectrum of climatic and genetic diversity of each producing region. From strong cocoa to subtle types of soft, fruity and floral cocoa, most Colombian cocoa has some nuts and sweet notes that round out the flavour profiles.

Cocoa

USD 22.8 million.

 

Cocoa

16 countries.

 

Cocoa

  • Mexico (50,7%)
  • Malasia (19,2%)
  • Belgium (11,7%)
  • United States (6,1%)
  • Argentina (3,3%)

Cocoa

29 exporting companies.

 

Cocoa byproducts

USD 38.6 million.

 

 

Cocoa byproducts

33 countries.

 

Cocoa byproducts

  • United States (19,5%)
  • Netherlands (18,5%)
  • Mexico (13,2%)
  • Germany (8,0%)
  • Russia (5,5%)

Cocoa byproducts

25 exporting companies.

Chocolate factory

USD 44.3 million.

Chocolate/cocoa confectionery

48 countries.

 

Chocolate/cocoa confectionery

  • Ecuador (28,9%)
  • United States (18,7%)
  • Panamá (7,4%)
  • Chile (7,3%)
  • Mexico (7,3%)

Chocolate/cocoa confectionery

46 exporting companies.

Coffee

The coffee sector is valued with international recognition for the qualities of the coffee produced in the country, but also for the high quality in the production and the important number of specialty coffees and premium qualities that are given in Colombia.

Additionally, it counts with a macro structure that supports the sector given the vocation that the country has for the production of coffee, even coffee and its derivatives occupy the first place of the non mining energetic exports of the country.

Portfolio

Green coffee, roasted coffee, soluble coffee, coffee extracts, coffee essences and aromas.

Certifications:

HACCP, Global GAP, Kosher, Halal, Organic, UTZ, FairTrade, RainForest Alliance

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Why buy in Colombia

  • Colombia is the world's leading producer of soft and specialty coffees, which stand out for their origin, planting technique, manual harvesting and premium qualities.
  • The national variety is Arabica, exceptional for several factors: higher acidity and softness, better quality of the infusion, intense aroma and lower concentration of caffeine, which makes it a healthier option.
  • Colombia has the privilege of having separate harvests in the first and second semesters, which allows for a reliable supply of good quality.
  • Colombian coffee is produced in regions with different climatic and geographic characteristics, which gives it particular attributes that make it preferred by connoisseurs around the world.
  • In Colombia during the 2017-2018 coffee year more than 540 thousand families lived from the coffee industry.

Coffee

USD 2,273 million.

Coffee

73 countries.

Coffee

  • United States (43,5%)
  • Germany (8,5%)
  • Japan (8,1%)
  • Canada (7,7%)
  • Belgium (5,3%)

Coffee

194 exporting companies.

Coffee byproducts

USD 336 million.

Coffee byproducts

69 countries.

Coffee byproducts

  • United States (40,5%)
  • Mexico (8,1%)
  • Germany (7,9%)
  • Ecuador (6,0%)
  • Japan (4,6%)

Coffee byproducts

147 exporting companies.

Dairy

The Colombian dairy sector has a business network that serves a large domestic market and international customers through a product portfolio that adapts to global requirements and trends.

Portfolio

Milk, milk powder, arequipe, butter, condensed milk, cream, cheese, oats, whey.

Certifications:

HACCP, Kosher, BPM, BASC, Quality Chekd

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Why buy in Colombia

  • Colombia is the fourth largest milk producer in Latin America, surpassed only by Brazil, Mexico and Argentina.
  • Colombian milk is recognized for its quality, as it has higher protein and fat levels than major producing countries such as New Zealand, Germany, Switzerland, Canada and the United States.
  • The availability of milk in the milk stockpile, which reached 3,381 million liters, the positive variation in the dairy sector and its capacity to generate close to 700,000 direct jobs makes it possible to position the industry as one of the main axes of the national economy.
  • The sector represents 6.2 per cent of the national agricultural GDP. Colombia has 400,000 dairy farms.
  • The national offer includes products derived from buffalo milk, recognized internationally for their quality, sustainability and freshness.

Dairy

Exports exceeded US$9.6 million.

Dairy

12 countries.

Dairy

  • United States (49%)
  • Chile (14,2%)
  • Russia (9,9%)
  • Ecuador (9,4%)
  • Mexico (5,7%)

Dairy

42 exporting companies.

Flowers

The sector has more than 40 years of export experience, which has allowed it to position itself in international markets which recognize its quality and diversity. Likewise, the production of Colombian flowers has become one of the largest generators of formal rural employment in the country, since for every hectare cultivated, 17 jobs are generated.

Portfolio

Roses, carnations, chrysanthemums and pompoms, alstroemeria, hydrangeas, water lilies, bouquets, lilies, heliconias, gerberas and foliage.

Certifications:

Florverde Sustainable Flowers, Rainforest Alliance, Global GAP, BASC, Veriflora Sustainably Grown

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Why buy in Colombia

  • In the world, Colombia is the second largest exporter of flowers, the first exporter of carnations and the main supplier to the United States.
  • It is a sector with high social impact, as it generates more than 140,000 direct and indirect jobs in 60 Colombian municipalities and links about 25% of the country's formal rural female labor force.
  • 40% of the flowers exported in Colombia have the Florverde® certification seal. This allows them to be homologated with worldwide known certifications such as Global G.A.P and Rainforest Alliance, among other international standards.
  • Colombia is one of the countries with the greatest diversity of flowers in the world, exporting 1,400 varieties. In addition, in 2019, the country exported 5.6 billion stems.
  • The sector is one of the most important and representative of the national economy and represents the second line of agricultural exports of the country, with a participation of 29%. In addition, Colombian flowers currently reach nearly 80 markets worldwide, covering the 5 continents.

Flowers

Exports exceeded US$1.45 billion.

Flowers

78 countries.

Flowers

  • United States (78,5%)
  • Japan (3,3%)
  • United Kingdom (3,1%)
  • Netherlands (2,6%)
  • Canada (2,5%)

Flowers

457 exporting companies.

Fresh Fruits

The fruit sector in Colombia benefits from the great diversity of topographical and climatic zones, which allow crops to be harvested all year round. Colombian fresh fruit production grew 20.6% in the last 5 years, reaching 7.3 million tons in 2019.

Portfolio

* THE OFFER OF EXOTIC FRUITS INCLUDES GRANADILLA, SOURSOP, GULUPA, PASSION FRUIT, YELLOW PITAHAYA, TAMARILLO AND GOLDEN BERRY, AMONG OTHERS.

Certifications:

HACCP, ISO, BCR, GlobalGap, Fairtrade, Organic

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Why buy in Colombia

  • According to FAO, Colombia is set to become one of the world's agricultural pantries, given the global growth prospects for the coming years. About half of the land that could enter into agricultural production is located in 7 tropical countries, including Colombia.
  • Due to it being a tropical country located in the equatorial zone, the national territory benefits from a permanent luminosity, which allows to harvest fruit trees throughout the year.
  • Colombian fruits have an excellent quality in organoleptic terms with one of the best colors, flavors, aromas, soluble content and BRIX degree value, when compared to products from other countries in the subtropical region.
  • During 2019, Colombia consolidated its position as the main exporter of exotic fruits in Latin America.

Fresh Fruits

Exports exceeded USD 1.151 billion.

Fresh Fruits

61 countries.

Fresh Fruits

  • Belgium (18,8%)
  • United Kingdom (16,8%)
  • Netherlands (14,7%)
  • United States (6,4%)
  • Italy (11,1%)

Fresh Fruits

277 exporting companies.

Oils and Fats

"Colombian palm cultivation has been consolidating as one of the sectors of greatest leadership within the national agricultural sector due to its productive dynamics, its versatility and its growing commitment to sustainability. These aspects project it as an activity with enormous potential to generate economic prosperity in harmony with the environment and with profound social responsibility."

Portfolio

Palm oil and palm kernels, margarine, fats, shortenings.

Certifications:

Global GAP, RSPO, Organic, Kosher, Rainforest Alliance, BASC, ISCC, ISO 9001

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Why buy in Colombia

  • Colombian palm oil stands out for its sustainability, the result of responsible management of social and environmental work. The National Federation of Palm Growers in Colombia (FEDEPALMA) develops programs that seek to preserve ecosystems and protect the biodiversity of flora and fauna.
  • Colombia leads the production of palm oil in America and is the fourth largest producer worldwide. In 2018 it reached 1.63 million tons, presenting a growth of 0.2% and a yield of 3.51 tons per cultivated hectare.
  • The Colombian offer includes the development of solutions tailored to the needs of the industry from the derivatives of the palm.
  • The oil palm in Colombia involves more than 6,000 palm growers, of which it is estimated that 97% correspond to small and medium producers.
  • Colombia has more than 5.2 million hectares with high potential for planting oil palms in a sustainable manner.

Palm oil

USD 350.3.

Million Palm kernel oil

USD 57.4 million.

Oils and Fats

32 countries.

Oils and Fats

  • Netherlands (31,2%)
  • Spain(11,2%)
  • Mexico (11,1%)
  • Germany (8,5%)
  • and Brazil (7,6%)

Oils and Fats

36 exporting companies.

Processed fruits and vegetables

The processed fruit and vegetable sector stands out for its facilities for the supply of raw materials, given Colombia's geoclimatic conditions, which allow the production of fruit and vegetables throughout the year. In addition, the production systems with high quality standards and the incorporation of innovative techniques in the production stand out.

Portfolio

Jams, preserves, dehydrated and freeze-dried fruit, fruit pulps, concentrates, frozen fruit, jams, sauces.

Certifications:

Organic, ISO, SGS, BASC, SGF, HACCP, Kosher

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Why buy in Colombia

  • Due to the great variety of fruits in Colombia and their availability throughout the year, the companies have managed to develop a wide range of processed fruit and vegetable products with greater added value.
  • Within the innovation initiatives of the companies in the sector you can find pasteurized fruit pulps that do not need refrigeration, 100% natural dehydrated fruits, organic processed products and zeodrated fruit.
  • The national offer has products certified by HACCP, ISO and GLOBAL GAP, among others
  • The sector's exports have been growing steadily since 2014-2019, reaching new markets.

Processed fruits and vegetables

Exports exceeded US$103.4 million.

Processed fruits and vegetables

54 countries.

Processed fruits and vegetables

  • United States (54,4%)
  • Mexico (6,0%)
  • Panama (4,6%)
  • United Kingdom (4,3%)
  • and Spain (3,9%)

Processed fruits and vegetables

42 exporting companies.