Colombia’s Agricultural Output Grew 7.1% in Q1 2025

The agricultural sector has consolidated itself as an engine of the Colombian economy, registering a 7.1% growth in added value during the first quarter of 2025, according to the most recent data from the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE). This performance makes agriculture the economic activity with the second highest growth and contribution, being responsible for a contribution of 0.7 percentage points to the growth of the gross value added to the Colombian economy.

For the first time since comparable quarterly records began (since 2005), agriculture, livestock, hunting, forestry, and fishing reached third place among the 12 branches of economic activity in terms of participation in the value added of the economy, with a share of 11.4%.

“The sustained growth of the agricultural sector not only reflects its strategic importance for the country, but also shows how agriculture continues to be one of the most solid pillars of the Colombian economy; it promotes regional development and job creation,” said Dora Inés Rey, director of the Rural Agricultural Planning Unit (UPRA).

Outstanding growth in all its divisions

The agricultural sector achieved an outstanding performance in all its divisions. The value added of coffee grew by 31.3%, while fishing and aquaculture also showed a solid increase of 18.2%. Forestry and timber harvesting grew by 11.4 percent, and livestock increased by 8.9 percent. On the other hand, agricultural crops without coffee registered a growth of 2.4%.

The productions that stood out the most, in terms of growth, were cocoa (33.3%), coffee (32.9%), cattle (13.8%), raw milk (12.1%), and walnuts and palm fruits (11.7%). In addition, chicken and eggs also showed positive increases, with a growth of 9.1% and 8.3%, respectively.

With a growth higher than that recorded by GDP, the agricultural sector continues to demonstrate its relevance as a generator of employment and development. During the first quarter of the year, the agricultural sector has remained robust, contributing significantly to the growth of the economy and consolidating itself as an essential pillar for the stability of the country, said Rey.

Headline photo: Coffee from Colombia. Photo credit: Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism (MinCIT)