Browse Data and Analysis

This report seeks to provide an initial road map for U.S. companies exporting food products to Colombia. In 2022, the United States exported $3.7 billion in agricultural products to Colombia, which secured its position as Colombia’s top supplier of food and agricultural products.

In October 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Plant and Animal Health Inspection Service and the Colombian Institute for Agriculture agreed on import requirements for U.S. bovine meat and bone meal (MBM) to Colombia. Colombia’s steady economy growth, increasing production of proteins, and growing demand for high quality pet food are creating new opportunities to increase exports of MBM products to the country.

While Colombia´s regulatory environment remains friendly toward the adoption of biotechnology-derived crops and products, congressional anti-biotechnology initiatives pose a threat to further acceptance, and risk undermining future investments to benefit consumers and the agricultural sector.

In market year (MY) 2023/2024, Colombia's coffee production is expected to recover to 11.5 million bags green bean equivalent (GBE) given drier conditions and improved sunlight resulting from the El Niño phenomenon.

Adverse weather conditions and lower domestic prices will constrain Colombia's corn production in market year (MY) 2023/2024, which is estimated to remain flat at 1.5 million metric tons (MMT).

This report outlines Colombia’s requirements for import permits and export certificates for agricultural products intended for human and animal consumption.

This report is an annual update of the food import standards and enforcement mechanisms in Colombia. It includes updates on nutritional labeling, biotechnology, and new information on Colombia's nutrition and trade facilitation policies.

FAS Bogota (Post) and the SaborUSA initiative continue to increase efforts that support the USDA cooperator participants and connect with an even greater number of Colombian consumers.

In 2022, Colombian GDP for lodging and restaurants grew 16 percent compared to 2021 and 20 percent compared to 2019, consolidating its share of Colombia’s economic activity at 4.5 percent.

Starting July 13, 2023, a third-party certification issued by accredited certifying bodies will be mandatory to certify maximum sodium levels in processed products listed in Colombian Resolution 2013 of 2020.

Colombia is the main market for U.S. consumer-oriented products in South America. In 2022, U.S. consumer-oriented exports to Colombia reached a record $877 million.

In 2023, ethanol production is forecast to recover to 380 million liters due to better weather conditions. In 2022, ethanol production decreased as adverse weather conditions and high sugar prices led to local producers prioritizing sugar production.