Colombia’s fruit export surge continues

Colombia’s fruit trade is booming according to the latest data from the country’s national association of foreign trade, Analdex. In 2024, Colombia exported 2.6mn tonnes of fruit worth US$1.82bn, representing a 34.9 per cent in value and 26.9 per cent in volume compared to the previous year.

Much of the growth came from a resurgence in banana exports, which accounted for 58.8 per cent of shipments by value. These grew 33.6 per cent to US$1.07bn in 2024. Hass avocados, plantains, Persian limes, and purple passion fruit also make up an important share of Colombia’s fruit export basket, with shares of 17 per cent, 7.7 per cent, 7.5 per cent, and 2.9 per cent, respectively.

Avocado exports grew 54.3 per cent in value and 20.8 per cent in volume, finishing the year on US$309.4mn and 138,316 tonnes. Persian limes grew 47 per cent in value to US$137.5mn and 42.6 per cent in volume to 96,337 tonnes.

Exports of purple passion fruit grew 9.2 per cent in value despite contracting by 6.6 per cent in volume, indicating stronger international prices. They finished the year on US$52.2mn and 13,320 tonnes.

Similarly, exports of physalis decreased by 7.2 per cent on 2023 to 7,938 tonnes. However, the value of shipments grew 9.4 per cent to US$43.6mn. and plantain shipments grew 40.9 per cent in volume and 34.8 per cent in value to finish the year at 172,782 tonnes worth US$140mn.

The main destination for Colombian fruit in 2024 was the US, which took 23 per cent of total shipments worth US$428.9mn. The Netherlands was second (16 per cent), with shipments worth US$281.1mn, and Belgium was third, taking a 13 per cent share of exports worth US$236.2mn.

Colombian fruit exports to the US (excluding bananas) grew by a modest 31.3 per cent over the seven years from 2012 to 2019. However, from 2020 onwards the trend accelerated markedly, with shipments growing 361.7 per cent in the four years to 2024. This was driven primarily by the opening of the market to Colombian avocados and steady increases in exports of Persian limes.

Regionally, Magdalena and Antioquia led the export charge, accounting for 50 per cent and 36 per cent of shipments respectively. Santander was third with 6 per cent, followed by Cundinamarca and Risaralda with 2 per cent. These last three departments continue to consolidate their presence in the international market, seeing export growth of 60.8 per cent, 65.4 per cent, and 75.5 per cent respectively last year.