Colombian exports of Hass avocados to Europe grew 225 per cent to US$193m in 2021 compared to the previous year, according to trade promotion agency ProColombia.
The green fruit led Colombia’s export growth in the EU, being the fastest growing product in the country’s fruit and vegetable basket.
Bananas are Colombia’s single most important fruit export to Europe. In 2021, they accounted for US$758m in trade, an increase of 2 per cent over the previous year.
Sales of other exotic fruits also registered double digit growth, with shipments of gulupa up 20 per cent, and exports of goldenberries and Tahiti limes climbing 18 per cent and 36 per cent respectively.
A total of 23 Colombian companies will exhibit at Fruit Logistica this week under the slogan: ‘Colombian foods, just as exciting as the country they come from’.
Highlighting the country’s commitment to sustainability, Flavia Santoro, president of ProColombia said: “Internationalisation has a positive effect on what Colombia has to offer because it promotes competitiveness and the adoption of good practices.
“As a result of these exports, more companies are aware of the positive impact they should strive to have on communities and the environment.”
More than 1,000ha of Hass avocado production in Colombia has the international seal of good environmental and social practices.
According to figures from NaturaCert, an organization that certifies and verifies national and international standards for sustainable agricultural products in Colombia, 20,000ha of avocados were certified worldwide with the Rainforest Alliance seal in 2019, and Colombia had one of the highest growth rates.
The banana sector is also becoming increasingly modernised, with many farms having quality certifications such as ISO 9000, HACCP, GLOBALGAP, or Rainforest Alliance, among others.
