Capsicum and pimenta fruits market in Colombia

Earlier Report Observations

Colombian production of fresh capsicum and pimenta fruits experienced notable shifts from 2018 to 2023. After growing from 117 thousand tons in 2018 to 133 thousand tons in 2019, output fell to 101 thousand tons in 2020 and remained near that level in 2021. A further decline to 89 thousand tons occurred in 2022, followed by a recovery to 101 thousand tons in 2023.

In 2021, the U.S. APHIS authorized Colombia to export paprika and chili peppers to the United States, unlocking a market valued around $1.3 billion. This new export access helped stabilize production during a period of market adjustment. The following year, the Colombian Agricultural Institute updated its export rules for fresh vegetables, introducing stricter registration requirements for production sites and packers to enhance phytosanitary controls, which likely influenced production volumes as operators adapted to the new standards.

Production continued to be concentrated in key regions such as Valle del Cauca, Norte de Santander, Santander, and Antioquia, with an average national yield of 24 tons per hectare. The regulatory evolution and secured export market access provided a foundation for the market's structure during these years.

Production capsicum and pimenta fruits in Colombia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of capsicum and pimenta fruits, 2017-2020

World map of production of capsicum and pimenta fruits, 2017-2020

Colombia's production of capsicum and pimenta fruits saw a two-year rise before declining. In 2019, output reached its peak at 132.8 thousand tons. However, in 2020, production fell to 101.2 thousand tons, marking a significant year-over-year decrease of 23.8%. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.6%, which translates to an average annual increase of 1.5%. The most substantial growth occurred in 2018, with a 21.3% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Colombia's capsicum and pimenta fruits production value declined for the second year in a row. In 2018, it hit a high of 211.7 million US dollars, but by 2020, the value had dropped to 125.0 million US dollars, showing a sharp 38.2% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, overall production value fell by 29.8%, averaging an 11.1% annual decline. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 19.0%.

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

Exports capsicum and pimenta fruits from Colombia

Exports in kind, t

Colombia's export volume of capsicum and pimenta fruits increased for two years before declining. In 2019, exports peaked at 123.0 tons, but in 2020, they dropped to 111.4 tons, a 9.4% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 70.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.4%. The most significant rise occurred in 2018, with a 50.7% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia's exports of capsicum and pimenta fruits in volume terms were primarily directed towards Curacao and Aruba. Together, these two destinations accounted for 89.8% of total exports, while other markets played a minor role.

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, K $ US

Colombia's capsicum and pimenta fruits export value increased over two years before falling. In 2019, it reached a maximum of 187.2 thousand US dollars, but in 2020, it declined to 137.6 thousand US dollars, down 26.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value rose by 14.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.5%. The largest increase was in 2018, at 47.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, Curacao and Aruba were the dominant destinations for Colombia's capsicum and pimenta fruits exports in value terms, jointly capturing 87.5% of total flows. Other markets accounted for the remaining share.

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

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

Imports capsicum and pimenta fruits to Colombia

Desk research indicates that Colombia did not import any capsicum and pimenta fruits from 2017 to 2020.