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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.

Due to lower area and yields, wheat production in 2022/23 is forecast at 26.4 million metric tons (MMT), four percent lower than last year. To make up for the expected domestic shortfall, in 2022/23 wheat imports are forecast at 1.5 MMT.

Due to the poultry industry’s slow recovery and sluggish consumer demand for edible oils, no significant growth in oilseed and edible oil use is forecast for 2022/23. Likewise, soybean, canola, and palm oil imports in 2022/23 are forecast to remain similar to 2021/22 levels.

Due to slight increases in area and sugarcane yields, sugar production in 2022/23 is forecast to reach 7.2 million metric tons (MMT), a marginal increase over the good 2021/22 crop. Sugar consumption for 2022/23 is forecast at 6.1 MMT, which would be a 3.3 percent increase, reflecting population growth and demand from the expanding food processing sector.

With expectations for a slight increase in area, but stagnant yields, 2022/23 production is forecast to reach 6.22 million bales, a 3.7 percent increase over 2021/22.

Only limited growth in soybean and vegetable oil imports is forecast for 2021/22. Rising prices and changes in taxation policies are hindering demand for meal from the poultry sector and capping growth in edible oil demand.

Given the pace of imports during the first six months of 2021/22, the wheat import forecast is reduced from 2.5 to 2 million tons. With harvest complete and better than expected yields, the 2021/22 rice production estimate is increased from 8.2 to a record 8.9 million tons.

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.