From January to July 2024, total imports reached USD 5.31 billion, a 6.1% decrease compared to 2023. Significant reductions were seen in corn (-23.4%) and soybean meal (-27.2%). The sector’s total import volume for July also fell by 13.2%, reaching 896,751 tons, with corn and wheat leading the decline.

Dora Inés Rey, director of the Unidad de Planificación Rural Agropecuaria (UPRA), defended the numbers and her administration, saying that the reduction in import value reflects increased efficiency in local production chains and the implementation of policies promoting domestic consumption of agricultural products.

However, from January to July 2024, there was a 7% rise in import volume, reaching 8.63 million tons, driven by increases in corn (7.8%), ethanol (162.8%), and wheat (12.4%).

In terms of the trade balance, Colombia posted a value surplus of USD 1.6 billion FOB between January and July 2024, a 105.1% increase from the previous year. Despite this, the country recorded a volume deficit of 5.26 million tons, a 1.7% increase over the same period in 2023.

For more details, visit the MinAgricultura website.

Above image of Colombia’s signature chicken and potato soup called Ajiaco by Loren Moss

Notable decreases include:

• Price drops exceeding 20% for key items such as white and red onions, bell peppers, green peas, and green beans.
• A 10% decrease in prices for all varieties of potatoes, reversing a trend of sustained increases seen in previous months.

Conversely, prices for several fresh fruits, including mangoes, avocados, Tahiti limes, mandarins, grapes, papayas, and pineapples, saw increases of more than 10%.

Pork prices, as well as those for artisanal cheeses and eggs, also declined, offering some relief for consumers. Meanwhile, prices for beef and chicken rose slightly, with fresh whole chicken prices increasing by 1%.

These price fluctuations are largely attributed to an increase in supply due to harvests in regions such as Norte de Santander, Huila, and Antioquia, as well as weather conditions affecting fresh food production.

“The data this month highlights the importance of monitoring wholesale markets to better understand the dynamics impacting Colombian households,” said Dora Inés Rey, Director of UPRA. “We continue to work on providing timely information to help both producers and consumers make strategic decisions in response to market fluctuations.”

In the vegetable and tuber categories, essential products like carrots, green beans, and corn saw significant price reductions. However, cucumbers, beets, and scallions recorded price increases. Most potato varieties, yams, and Hartón plantains experienced price drops.

For fresh fruits, while items like mangoes and avocados became more expensive, other fruits such as Castilian blackberries, tree tomatoes, and lulo saw price decreases.

These shifts reflect broader trends in the Colombian agricultural sector, driven by both regional harvests and environmental factors.