The Colombian agro-export sector registered a 38% growth in 2024, with exports reaching $585 million. This growth was driven by products such as Hass avocado, Tahiti lime, and gulupa, which have strengthened Colombia's presence in Europe and the United States.
"Colombia has become Europe's seventh largest third-country supplier of fresh fruit," stated Andrés Castellanos, ProColombia's agri-food export manager, highlighting the sector's positive impact on the country's export economy.
Currently, 54% of Colombian fruit exports are destined for Europe, with the Netherlands as the main redistribution point. Within the continent, 64% of shipments go to the Netherlands, 9.5% to the United Kingdom, and 8.4% to Spain. In the last year, exports to Europe increased by 16%.
The United States accounts for 31% of total exports, with strong demand for avocados and limes. "Colombia has managed to enter certain regions of the US more efficiently, competing directly with Mexico," Castellanos stated.
Hass avocado leads exports with $309 million, followed by Tahiti lime with $137 million, gulupa with $52 million, and cape gooseberry with $44 million. Tahiti lime has also experienced a boom, especially in the US market, with a $37.7 million growth in sales in 2024.
Despite sustained growth, Colombian exporters face significant challenges. According to Castellanos, climate change has impacted banana and avocado crops, affecting their production and quality. "Developing technology and strategies to adapt to these new conditions is essential," he stated.
In addition, the European Green Deal regulations have raised phytosanitary and environmental standards, demanding strict limits on pesticide residues and deforestation-free certifications. Producers have had to implement more sustainable and efficient practices to meet these requirements and maintain their competitiveness in the market.
In 2025, exports are expected to continue growing at an accelerated pace. In 2024, Colombia exported 103,000 tons of fresh fruits (excluding bananas), 43% more than the previous year, with significant increases in avocado (+27,263 tons) and Tahiti lime (+17,281 tons) exports.
ProColombia offers exporters training, technical assistance, and trade promotion to strengthen its competitiveness in the global market. Programs such as Internationalization Factories help close gaps and improve competitiveness, while participation in fairs such as Fruit Attraction (Madrid) and IFPA (USA) allows exporters to establish key contacts. In addition, buyer missions and digital activations make it easier to connect with new markets.
"Colombia is a fruit pantry for the world, and we continue to strengthen our portfolio with emerging products such as avocado and lime," Castellanos concluded.
For more information:
Andrés Castellanos
ProColombia
Email: acastellanos@procolombia.co
www.procolombia.co