The positive performance of supply was reflected in 18 of the 23 cities where the monitoring is carried out, with growth in Tibasosa (79.5%), Tunja (42.1%), Manizales (30.8%), Valledupar (25.3%), and Montería (21.5%). The highest percentage growth was observed mainly in fish, dairy and eggs, tubers, roots and bananas, processed foods, and grains and cereals.

The analysis of the data also shows a sustained recovery in supply throughout the year. In the period between January and June 2025, the total volume entered wholesale centers increased by 3.4% compared to the same period in 2024. This evolution is explained by the dynamism observed in key groups such as grains and cereals, processed foods, dairy products and eggs and fish, with no falls in any food group.

Supply monitoring is a vital input to make strategic decisions in the territories. Thanks to this data, we can guide policies, anticipate warnings, and strengthen urban and rural food security. The sustained increase in the supply of food is good news for the country, especially in highly sensitive contexts such as the current one,” said Dora Inés Rey, director of the Rural Agricultural Planning Unit (UPRA).

In specific foods, significant increases were highlighted in products such as tangerine, pineapple, blackberry, cucumber, beans, and potatoes. On the other hand, some products, such as mangoes, lemons, papayas, and pumpkins showed occasional decreases, reflecting seasonal behaviors or adjustments in production dynamics.

From the UPRA, it is projected that in July and August a positive supply will continue with products such as sapote, tangerine, pear, kiwi, banana, arracacha, cassava, broccoli, chili pepper, coriander and eggplant, among others, strengthening access to varied foods of national origin in the country’s markets.

Fish at the market. Photo credit: photo-graphe from Pixabay.

This positive performance was reflected in 16 of the 23 cities with reference wholesale markets, with especially notable increases in Tibasosa (67.8%), Manizales (29.2%), Villavicencio (15.3%), Armenia (12.5%), Medellín (11.3%), and Bogotá (8.4%). Although there were reductions in some points, such as Ipiales (-25.4%) and Santa Marta (-22.8%), the national balance was largely positive.

By food groups, the greatest dynamism was in processed foods (15.3%), grains and cereals (12.8%), fish (10.2%), dairy products and eggs (9.2%) and tubers, roots and bananas (7.0%). Fruit (5.9%) and vegetables (4.4%) also increased. Only the meat group showed a slight decrease (-1.7%).

“This data confirms that the countryside is responding to the country’s food demand. To plan efficiently, we need to know what is coming, from where, and in what quantities. Technical monitoring of supply is key to guaranteeing food security and guiding production from rural territories,” said Dora Inés Rey, director of the UPRA.

In the group of vegetables, 180,620 tons entered, with outstanding behaviors in the supply of beans (33.9%), corn (32%), celery (19.4%), garlic (18.8%), cucumber (17%) and peppers (16.2%). Increases were also reported in carrots, onions, beans and other vegetables. On the other hand, the entry of green peas, cabbage, tomatoes, onions, pumpkins and lettuce decreased.
In the case of Cali, one of the main receiving cities, 42% of the volume of vegetables came from Valle del Cauca, followed by Nariño (22.8%), Bogotá (16.3%), Boyacá (14.3%) and Cauca (2%), evidencing the articulation between producing regions and urban markets.

Onions. Photo credit: moviedo from Pixabay.

This supply growth is driven by significant increases in several food groups, including fresh fruits, which grew by 12.4%, and meats, which grew by 18.6%. Other key sectors, such as grains and cereals, dairy and eggs, processed foods, vegetables, and tubers, also saw substantial increases, reflecting a broad-based recovery in the agri-food sector.

Dora Inés Rey, director of the UPRA, commented: “The increase in food supply is excellent news for the country. It shows that the agricultural sector continues to be a key driver of employment and economic development, despite challenges and fluctuations, and continues to guarantee the availability of basic products for Colombian families. This growth in wholesale centers is a clear reflection of the work of our producers and the effectiveness of the policies implemented to strengthen the sector.”

At the national level, Tibasosa, Manizales, and Valledupar cities stood out with increases in food supply of more than 20%. In contrast, some cities, such as Ipiales, Florencia, and Villavicencio, saw drops in their supply; although, in general, the outlook is positive and favors access to a wide variety of products throughout the country.

The most outstanding products in terms of increased supply were fresh fruits, with products such as mandarins, avocados, pineapples, and passion fruit reporting outstanding increases. In the case of tubers and roots, ginger and yams stood out the most; while, in vegetables, the increase in the supply of products such as carrots, paprika, and junca onions was significant.

This positive performance in supply underscores the resilience of the Colombian agricultural sector and the constant effort by producers and distributors to ensure the flow of products in the country. In addition, the coming months of April and May 2025 are expected to bring with them a new wave of products, highlighting fruits such as pears, mangoes, kiwis, and pineapples, and tubers such as cassava, potatoes, and bananas.

Photo credit: JohnyVid from Pixabay.

Colombia’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism (MinCIT) was tasked with making the nominations and presented the international organization with the following towns:

• Jericó in Antioquia
• Iza in Boyacá
• Zapatoca in Santander
• Villavieja in Huila
• Providencia in the Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina
• Tibasosa in Boyacá
• Guadalupe in Santander
• Filandia in Quindío

These towns all have fewer than 15,000 inhabitants and engage in traditional activities like agriculture, forestry, or livestock in addition to promoting tourism as a way to share their community’s values and way of life.

Last year, Choachí was named among 32 global destinations to receive a Best Tourism Villages 2022 selection, and these eight will now be vying to join the Cundinamarca town in the winner’s circle.

The Best Tourism Villages 2023 winners will be announced in October at the 25th UNWTO General Assembly.

All UN member states are eligible to nominate towns from their country, and according to the UNWTO, the Best Tourism Village award is designed to acknowledge rural destinations across the world that drive development while preserving and promoting local values and products, among other factors including sustainability, infrastructure, connectivity, health, safety, and security.

The technical committee has said it will give priority to those destinations that had not benefited from other UNWTO programs.

A church in the central plaza of Filandia, a picturesque small town in the heart of Quindio’s coffee axis. (Credit: Hdhdhdyboot)

Even if the nominated Colombian municipalities don’t win the award, they could be considered for the Upgrade program. This program would provide technical assistance, training, and support to improve rural tourism practices and sustainability.

Two Colombian destinations in Santander — Barichara and San Vicente de Chucurí — have previously been accepted into the Upgrade program.

Politicians and national leaders from across the political spectrum continue to promote tourism as a key to growing Colombia’s economy, and rural communities like these play an active role in developing the country’s sector by providing opportunities for visitors to experience authentic Colombian culture and heritage.

Lead photo: Jericó, Antioquia. (Credit: Alcaldía de Jericó)

The new plant is scheduled to go online in the summer of 2024, and according to Bavaria, will create 1,500 construction jobs, then employ 350 plant workers supporting 7,000 additional indirect jobs. The beer factory is being designed to be completely carbon neutral, and Bavaria has committed to operate it with solar electricity.

The move is an additional vote of confidence for the greater Barranquilla metropolitan area that has been quietly making progress with less attention than Colombia’s more famous cities of Bogotá and Medellín.

The Palmar de Varela brewery will turn out Bavaria brands such as Águila, Poker, and Club Colombia, all Pilsner style beers popular in hot weather climates.

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, applauded the decision, saying: “We all make change, total peace is with businessmen, rural people, and workers, women and youth. I thank Bavaria for the investment that will generate employment and contribute to the energy transition.”

Sergio Rincón, president of the beer company (above photo), said: “We firmly believe in Colombia and in the great transformations that the private sector can generate for the benefit of the country. With this new plant, the company is betting in the long term on a significant expansion of the industry. The brewery will produce the national brands most loved by Colombians such as Águila, Poker and Club Colombia, among others.”

“I welcome the arrival of Bavaria to our municipality with great satisfaction. I am sure that it will generate a positive impact in the finances of the municipality and in the social sphere. Thanks to these resources we will be able to continue promoting the development of the municipality with the social investment that will impact the quality of life of the residents of Palma. In the social aspect there will be employment opportunities,” added Palmar de Varela’s mayor, Galdino René Orozco.

The new brewery will add to Bavaria’s eight existing Colombian breweries, two malting facilities, and a label printing factory. Added Rincón: “It fills me with pride to share this good news with the country on these very special dates. We Colombians deserve a future full of hope, celebrations and progress, and this new bet is, without a doubt, a great reason to toast…it is a sample of the spirit of a company like Bavaria, which, after multiple contributions in favor of progress over more than 130 years, continues to undertake, betting on growth and innovation in our processes”.

With 4,000 employees supporting 80,000 indirect jobs, 133 year old Bavaria has breweries in the Colombian cities of Tocancipá, Tibasosa, Yumbo, Itaguí, Bucaramanga, and Barranquilla. It also has two malting facilities in Cartagena and Tibitó, and a label factory in Yumbo.