Citrus fruit market in Colombia

Earlier Report Observations

The Colombian citrus fruit market volume grew from 2.7 million metric tons in 2018 to 3.2 million metric tons in 2023. This expansion was initially supported by the 2018 launch of the 'Productivity and Competitiveness of Andean Fruits' project, which aimed to improve value chains for citrus and other fruits. Consumer trends toward health and immune-boosting foods further stimulated domestic consumption, notably in 2021 when exports of citrus to the United States surged by 267%, encouraging overall production growth.

A temporary dip in market volume occurred in 2020 due to supply chain and logistical disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The sector quickly adapted, and production continued to rise. Subsequent growth was reinforced by regulatory updates, such as the ICA's 2022 norms streamlining registration for export production sites and packers, which facilitated market access. The diversification into exotic fruits and value-added products also supported sustained production increases.

Despite a 20.5% drop in fresh fruit export volumes in 2023, the domestic market volume continued to grow as more produce became available locally. Participation in international trade fairs and the enforcement of enhanced sanitary and phytosanitary standards helped maintain production momentum and quality, contributing to the overall market expansion throughout the period.

Production citrus fruit in Colombia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia ranked 19th globally in citrus fruit production volume.

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, citrus fruit production in Colombia declined. In 2020, Colombia produced 2 842 K t of citrus fruit, marking a slight decrease of 2.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 10.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 2 909 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 8.4%.

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

Exports citrus fruit from Colombia

Exports in kind, t

Colombia's citrus fruit export volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 58 675 t, up by 52.3% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 65.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 18.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 32 080 t, which also experienced the largest decline of 9.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Colombia's citrus fruit exports in volume terms were Ecuador (36.9% of exports), the United States (23.6% of exports), and France (15.3% of exports). Together, these three countries accounted for 75.8% of total export 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, K $ US

Citrus fruit exports from Colombia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 43 991 K US dollars, representing a steep rise of 32.0% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 159.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 37.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (31.1% of exports in value terms), France (16.1% of exports in value terms), and the Netherlands (14.4% of exports in value terms) were consistently the main destinations for Colombia's citrus fruit exports by value. Together, they accounted for 61.6% of total export 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 citrus fruit to Colombia

Imports in kind, t

Colombia's citrus fruit import volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Colombia imported 3 602 t of citrus fruit, which was 41.6% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 48.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -19.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for Colombia's citrus fruit imports in volume terms were Ecuador (55.9% of imports), Peru (21.2% of imports), and Spain (10.4% of imports). These three countries jointly accounted for 87.5% of total import flows.

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, K $ US

Colombia's citrus fruit imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 2 885 K US dollars, reflecting a significant decline of 10.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 11.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.0%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 3 656 K US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 12.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 11.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Peru (40.9% of imports in value terms), Spain (20.9% of imports in value terms), and Chile (16.8% of imports in value terms) were the principal suppliers of citrus fruit to Colombia by value. Together, they accounted for 78.5% of total imports in value terms.

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

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