Colombia Reaches $2.5 Billion USD Agriculture Trade Surplus Through May 2025

Between January and May 2025, Colombia consolidated an agricultural trade surplus of $2.489 million USD, representing an increase of 145.2% compared to the same period of the previous year. This figure reflects the strength of the agri-food sector in its exports, compared to a moderate increase in imports.

This surplus means that, in terms of value, Colombian agricultural and agro-industrial exports far exceeded foreign purchases, strengthening the country’s position in international food trade and reaffirming the role of agriculture as a strategic engine for the economy.

“The strengthening of our agricultural trade balance is a positive sign of a good moment for the Colombian countryside. Exporting more than we import in value means that our products are in international demand, generate foreign exchange, and support the economic sustainability of the sector. From planning, this information allows us to guide strategic decisions and consolidate our food security,” said Dora Inés Rey, director of the Rural Agricultural Planning Unit (UPRA).

In May 2025, imports of agricultural and agro-industrial products reached a value of $911 million USD, representing a growth of 10.1% compared to the same month of the previous year. This behavior was mainly driven by the increase in foreign purchases of coffee by $26.9 million USD (500.3%), corn by $19.5 million USD (14.2%), and pork by $17.6 million USD (50.6%).
In terms of volume, imports from the sector totalled 1,423,741 tonnes, with an increase of 0.2% compared to May 2024. The largest variations were recorded in corn, with an additional 79,854 tons (13.7%); waste from the starch industry, with 22,544 tonnes (87.5%); and soybean cake, with 16,811 tons (11.7%).

Between January and May 2025, imports accumulated a value of $4.229 million USD, an increase of 7% compared to the same period in 2024. The increase was explained by higher purchases of corn ($86.1 million USD, 12.7%), soybean oil ($77.5 million USD, 63.2%), and pork ($44.7 million USD, 25.9%). In volume, the total entered in these five months was 6,908,012 tons, with a growth of 4.8%, highlighting increases in corn (309,601 tons), soybean cake (86,498 tons), and soybeans (63,419 tons).

“These results reflect the dynamics of trade relations in the Colombian agri-food sector, in a context of active domestic demand and consolidation of our exports. Monitoring these flows is key to making strategic planning decisions and strengthening the country’s food security,” Rey added.

Corn/Maize. Photo credit: Rural Agricultural Planning Unit – UPRA.