Colombia’s Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Exports Reach All-Time High in May 2025

Exports from the agricultural and agro-industrial sector recorded their best historical performance for this month in May 2025, with a growth of 26.7% in value and 10.7% in volume compared to the same month of the previous year. This behavior consolidates an expansion trend that reflects the capacity of Colombian agriculture to respond to international demand, generate foreign exchange and contribute to the rural economy.

During May, the country exported agricultural products for a total of $1.322 million USD, mainly driven by the increase in foreign sales of coffee, palm oil and avocado. In volume, 664,560 tons were shipped, confirming the sustained dynamism of the sector.

The accumulated behavior so far this year also broke records: between January and May 2025, exports totaled $6.401 million USD, 36.8% more than in the same period of 2024. In volume, the increase was 11.6%, with 2.84 million tons exported. In both cases, this is the highest value and volume recorded for this period since comparable information is available.

“The strengthening of agricultural exports is a sign of the productive potential of our country. These results are not accidental: they are the reflection of a field that is ordered, that innovates, and that connects with the markets. From the UPRA, we continue to promote planning with a territorial approach so that each hectare is used with technical criteria, generating more value and more opportunities for the regions,” said Dora Inés Rey, director of the UPRA.

Among the best-performing products were coffee, whose exports increased by $159.7 million USD (+59.9%), palm oil and palm kernel with an increase of $42.4 million USD (+53.6%), and avocado, which grew by $13.9 million USD (+65.4%). In volume, relevant increases were reported in exports of palm oil and palm kernel (+34.1%), sugar (+104.9%), and avocado (+65.4%).

This rebound is also observed in the annual trend: between June 2024 and May 2025, agricultural and agro-industrial exports grew 26.8% in value and 6.1% in volume compared to the same period of the previous year.

Coffee beans. Photo credit: Pexels from Pixabay.