Colombia: The Colombian Cacao Industry
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Colombia is a major cocoa producer, ranking tenth globally in total output. In 2021, Colombia produced 65,174 MT of cocoa with a planted area of 194,428 hectares. Colombia has 2.8 million hectares of land suitable for cocoa growth and is a major producer of fine or flavor cocoa. Colombian cocoa exports have been classified by the International Cacao Organization as 95 percent fine or flavor cocoa, well above its South American competitors. In 2021, Colombia exported 26,256 MT of cocoa, 68 percent of which were cocoa-derived products. Colombia exports cocoa to over 70 countries with the top five exporters in 2021 being Mexico, the United States, Ecuador, Belgium, and Peru. Since 2011, Colombia has increased its cacao bean exports by over 400 percent. USDA is investing in Colombia’s cacao sector to boost its competitiveness in the global market and provide economic opportunities to farmers through two programs: Cacao for Peace (funded by USAID and implemented by USDA) and Cacao for Development.
