Apples, pears and quinces market in Colombia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, production of apples, pears, and quinces in Colombia more than doubled, from 25.3 thousand tons to 48.5 thousand tons. Market volume in physical terms grew from 153.2 thousand tons to 168.7 thousand tons, while in value it increased from $159.4 million to $197.6 million. During this period, the revision of international quality standards for apples and pears by the UN Economic Commission for Europe between 2018 and 2020 may have encouraged local producers to adopt higher quality practices, supporting the production increase.

In 2022, the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA) updated regulations to strengthen and facilitate the export of fresh vegetables, including requirements for registering production sites and packers. This move aimed to improve export capabilities, though export volumes remained minimal. Production stabilized at 48.4 thousand tons in 2022 before rising to 50.5 thousand tons in 2023. Market volume in physical terms peaked at 179.3 thousand tons in 2022 then declined to 171.3 thousand tons in 2023, whereas the market value continued its upward trend, reaching $216.3 million in 2023.

By 2024, import volumes reached 137.1 thousand tons, a 13% increase from the previous year. This growth was driven by a 9.7% rise in apple supplies to wholesale markets, the activity of major importer Vida Produce Company, which invested in modern distribution infrastructure, and promotional campaigns for French apples that boosted their presence in the Colombian market.

Production apples, pears and quinces in Colombia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of apples, pears and quinces, 2017-2020

World map of production of apples, pears and quinces, 2017-2020

Colombia's production of apples, pears, and quinces has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 40 241 tonnes of these fruits, marking a 16.1% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production surged by 114.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 28.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Colombia in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Colombia's production value for apples, pears, and quinces has also risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 46 039 thousand US dollars, up 10.2% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 130.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 32.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Colombia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports apples, pears and quinces from Colombia

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 0.2 thousand tonnes, then peaked in 2018 at 0.8 thousand tonnes—a swing of 3.4 times between these years. In 2020, Colombia's export volume of apples, pears, and quinces reached 0.3 thousand tonnes, a modest increase of 6.1% from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 71.0%, while the biggest jump was in 2018, with a 145.4% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Colombia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia's exports of apples, pears, and quinces in kind were not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. Panama accounted for 17.1% of exports, Chile for 15.0%, and France for 11.1%, together making up just 43.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Colombia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend over this period. In 2019, exports reached their lowest point at 0.3 million US dollars, while the peak was in 2018 at 0.9 million US dollars, showing a 3.1-fold gap. In 2020, cross-border shipments of apples, pears, and quinces from Colombia amounted to 0.3 million US dollars, a slight increase of 0.7% from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019, at 67.5%, and the largest increase was in 2018, at 149.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Colombia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Colombia's exports of apples, pears, and quinces in value terms were spread across many countries. Panama made up 16.2% of exports, Chile 13.9%, and France 11.9%, collectively accounting for only 42.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Colombia in value, 2017-2020

Imports apples, pears and quinces to Colombia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Colombia's imports of apples, pears, and quinces in kind totaled 129.4 thousand tonnes, a small rise of 2.2% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 126.6 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 1.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Colombia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Chile dominated Colombia's imports of apples, pears, and quinces in kind, accounting for 77.6% of total flows, while other markets made up a fragmented share.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Colombia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Colombia's imports of apples, pears, and quinces in value terms amounted to 134.6 million US dollars, remaining nearly unchanged from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 3.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.2%. The largest increase was in 2018, at 2.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Colombia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017–2020, Chile accounted for 74.5% of Colombia's total imports of apples, pears, and quinces in value terms, with the remaining flows distributed among multiple smaller partners.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Colombia in value, 2017-2020