Cocoa beans market in Colombia, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

Colombia's cocoa beans market volume grew from 91.6 thousand tons in 2018 to 93.4 thousand tons in 2019, driven by a 9.6% expansion in cultivated area and support programs from FEDECACAO and major companies for fertilization, renewal, and post-harvest management. However, production fell sharply in 2020, reducing market size to 52.7 thousand tons, though export volumes remained strong. The market partially recovered to 57.5 thousand tons in 2021 as plantation renewal efforts progressed and more companies entered the sector, offering farmers prices above the national average.

From 2022, prolonged rains cut national production by 10%, pulling market volume down to 56.4 thousand tons, while the sector shifted toward higher-value exports. That year, exports of semi-processed and finished cocoa products began to outpace raw bean shipments, aided by the updated national quality standard NTC 1252-2021 and ongoing negotiations to ease EU cadmium limits. By 2023, market volume stabilized at 55.7 thousand tons, with export value exceeding $131 million as the number of processing firms grew to about 60.

Throughout the period, quality initiatives were central. Colombia was confirmed as a producer of fine flavor cocoa in 2019, and work to mitigate cadmium contamination maintained international market access. Government efforts like the 'Paisana' initiative connected producers in PDET municipalities with larger markets, while renovation of nearly 11 000 hectares of aged cocoa plants modernized production, supporting the rise of value-added products.

Production cocoa beans in Colombia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Colombia ranked 9th globally in cocoa bean production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of cocoa beans, 2017-2020

World map of production of cocoa beans, 2017-2020

Colombia's cocoa bean production rose for two years before declining. In 2019, output peaked at 102.2 thousand tonnes, but by 2020 it had dropped to 63.4 thousand tonnes, marking a sharp 37.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 29%, with an average annual decline of 10.8%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, at 9.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Colombia's cocoa bean production value increased for two years before falling. In 2019, it reached a high of 255.3 million US dollars, but in 2020 it dropped to 165.9 million US dollars, a steep 35.0% decrease from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, the production value declined by 19.2%, with an average annual reduction of 6.9%. The largest year-on-year rise was in 2018, at 13.4%.

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

Exports cocoa beans from Colombia

Exports in kind, t

Colombia's cocoa bean exports grew for the second year in a row. In 2018, exports hit a low of 7 056 tonnes, with a 40.6% drop that year. However, they rebounded in 2019, increasing by 29.2%, and reached 10 866 tonnes in 2020, up 19.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 8.5%, with an average annual decline of 2.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico, Malaysia, and the Netherlands were the top destinations for Colombia's cocoa bean exports by volume. Mexico accounted for 48.3% of exports, Malaysia for 13.5%, and the Netherlands for 6.8%, together making up 68.5% 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

Colombia's cocoa bean export value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2018, it fell to a low of 16.78 million US dollars, declining by 38.6% that year. It then rose by 35.8% in 2019 and reached 28.423 million US dollars in 2020, a strong 24.8% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico, Malaysia, and the Netherlands led as the main buyers of Colombian cocoa beans by value. Mexico represented 45.9% of export value, Malaysia 11.9%, and the Netherlands 8.7%, combining for 66.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports cocoa beans to Colombia

Imports in kind, t

Colombia's cocoa bean imports declined for the second year in a row. In 2018, imports peaked at 670 tonnes, with a 37.2% increase that year. By 2020, they had fallen to 180 tonnes, down 55.2% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 63.1%, equating to an average annual decline of 28.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Peru and Venezuela were the key sources for Colombia's cocoa bean imports by volume, together accounting for 87.3% of total import flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

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 cocoa bean import value fell for the second consecutive year. In 2018, it reached a high of 1.484 million US dollars, with a 69.2% increase that year. By 2020, it had dropped to 481 thousand US dollars, a steep 53.7% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value declined by 45.2%, with an average annual reduction of 18.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Peru and Venezuela dominated as suppliers of cocoa beans to Colombia by value, together holding 88.0% of total import value, while other partners played a smaller role.

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

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