Colombian ag exports to U.S. could grow by 250% in the next decade

A Colombian American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham Colombia) study projects that agro-industrial exports to the U.S. could grow up to 250 percent in the next 10 years.

Colombia’s agro-industrial exports have become the most important non-mining-energy items in trade with the U.S., with over $3.4 billion in sales in the first three-quarters of this year, reflecting an increase of 59 percent when compared to $2.1 billion sold during the same period in 2019.

More than 20 products from the agro-industrial sector that have sanitary approval by the U.S. have increase their sales to that country by 289.3 percent since the free trade agreement between the two countries entered into force 10 years ago.

Maria Claudia Lacouture, president of AmCham Colombia, stated, “today, we are delivering to the National Government a document that allows Colombia to generate growth of more than 250 percent in agricultural and agro-industrial exports to the U.S., and that is based on each of the departments and regions where there are opportunities.”

Colombia exports 244 agricultural products to the U.S., including those that have phytosanitary approval, but there is a potential of 433 more products for a total of 677 products that Colombia can sell to the U.S.

The analysis carried out by AmCham Colombia, which contemplated having a global economic behavior equal to that of the last 10 years, with periods of recession and a slow economic recovery, found that agro-industrial products with added value that have a greater opportunity are extracts and essences of coffee, freeze-dried soluble coffee, refined palm oils, confectionary, preserved fruits and vegetables, prepared sauces, and bakery products.