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During 2021, the Colombian retail sector recovered and grew, following a challenging year caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Looking ahead, the sector’s growth is uncertain due to high food prices and a new administration that will assume power in August 2022.

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.

In marketing year (MY) 2022/23, Colombia's coffee production is forecast to remain unchanged at 13 million bags of green bean equivalent (GBE). Although weather conditions are expected to be normal, crop productivity has the potential to be negatively impacted as a result of lower fertilizer use due to rising prices.

Resolution 810 of 2021, issued by Colombia’s Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MINHEALTH), is set to go into effect on December 16, 2022. Resolution 810 establishes the technical regulations of the nutrition and front-of-pack labeling requirements for packaged food for human consumption in Colombia.

On November 9, 2020, Colombia’s Ministry of Health, and Social Protection (MINHEALTH) issued Resolution 2013, a regulation that sets mandatory maximum sodium content limits for 59 processed food product categories. Resolution 2013 introduces a new conformity certificate requirement and reduction goals for sodium content in foods.

On June 16, 2021, Colombia’s Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MINHEALTH) issued Resolution No. 810 establishing the technical regulation for nutrition and front-of pack labeling requirements for packaged food for human consumption, which will go into effect on December 16, 2022. This report includes the original regulation and an English translation.

In marketing year (MY) 2022/23, Colombia's sugar production is forecast to remain unchanged at 2.3 million metric tons (MT). Although weather conditions are expected to return to normal, crop productivity could be affected by lower fertilizer use due to rising prices.

The 2021 U.S. Agricultural Export Yearbook provides a statistical summary of U.S. agricultural commodity exports to the world.

Colombia is a net importer of many agricultural products and cannot produce the raw materials and ingredients to meet the growing demand of the food and beverage processing industry.

In marketing year (MY) 2022/23, Colombia's corn and rice production are forecast to marginally decrease from the previous year as a result of lower crop productivity due to rising prices of fertilizers and potential supply disruption of these inputs.

In 2016, the Colombian government permitted production and distribution of hemp for medical and scientific purposes. Despite optimal growing conditions and considerable foreign investment, Colombia’s hemp industry still struggles to compete globally due to market oversaturation, overregulation, and climate challenges.

This report outlines Colombia´s food and beverage market conditions, resulting from changes in consumer habits and preferences during the COVID-19 pandemic.