Colombian Exports Up 2.5% in First Quarter of 2024

Colombian exports (excluding the mining and energy sector) increased by 2.5% in the first three months of the year, bringing in $4.97 billion USD compared to $4.85 billion USD in the first quarter of 2023, according to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism (MinCIT).

In terms of volume, (non-mining and energy) exports grew by 10.5% in the quarter with shipments of 2.1 million tons. The first quarter of 2023 saw 1.9 million tons in exports.

The agricultural sector was among the best performers, per MinCIT.

Compared to the first quarter of 2023, export growth was led by: tilapia fillets (increase of 115.5%), bananas (84.9%), Tahiti lemons (60.3%), Hass avocados (34.7%), and sugar (17.5%).

Other notable growth was seen in cargo and passenger vehicles (up 74.4%), polyvinyl chloride (18.4%), and chocolates, candies and confectionery goods (3.3%).

In terms of locations, various regions within Colombia realized export growth, with the coffee-producing department of Risaralda experiencing by far the largest jump.

Though Risaralda only exported 4.1% of the national total, it outperformed its first quarter of 2023 figures by a staggering 69.2%. Antioquia, which accounted for 18.5% of the nation’s exports this quarter, saw year-over-year growth of with 4.8%.