Coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews market in Colombia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews in Colombia expanded consistently from 2018 to 2021, with total market volume rising from 149 thousand tonnes to 216 thousand tonnes. Production nearly doubled over this period, reaching 211 thousand tonnes in 2021, while imports remained relatively stable around 4-5 thousand tonnes annually.

From 2022 onward, the market entered a contraction phase, with volume falling to 201 thousand tonnes in 2022 and 183 thousand tonnes in 2023. This reversal coincided with the implementation of Colombia's front-of-pack warning labeling law, which took effect in December 2022, potentially affecting consumer demand for packaged nut products. Additionally, global factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and international agricultural market crises were noted as disrupting production and export activities.

Regulatory updates from the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA) aimed at streamlining fresh vegetable exports, along with sustained trade ties with Mexico, provided a supportive backdrop for the sector. However, these were insufficient to offset the broader market decline driven by labeling regulations and external shocks.

Production coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in Colombia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia held the 24th position globally in the production of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews.

Top producers of coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews, 2017-2020

World map of production of coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews, 2017-2020

Colombia's production of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 154.6 K t, marking a 3.3% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 5.5%, averaging an annualized rate of 1.8%. The lowest output was in 2018 at 143.7 K t, which saw the largest decline of 2.0%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the highest growth at 4.2%.

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

Exports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews from Colombia

Exports in kind, t

Colombia's exports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 237 t, showing a sharp year-over-year rise of 57.8%. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 5 934.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 292.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main destinations for Colombia's exports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews were Curaçao (37.2% of exports in kind), Vietnam (24.9%), and Aruba (17.0%). Together, these three countries accounted for 79.1% 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

Foreign supplies of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews from Colombia grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 171 K $ US, reflecting a moderate increase of 9.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports expanded by 731.1%, with an annualized rate of 102.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Curaçao (23.3% of exports in value terms), Vietnam (21.9%), and Mexico (10.9%) led as the top buyers of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews from Colombia. Combined, they represented 56.1% 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 coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews to Colombia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Colombia's imports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews stood at 4 591 t, up 4.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 15.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%. The peak was in 2018 at 5 234 t, which also saw the largest increase of 31.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 16.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Venezuela (56.8% of imports in kind), Bolivia (11.6%), and the Philippines (11.4%) were the primary sources for Colombia's imports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews. Together, they made up 79.8% of total import volumes.

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

In 2020, Colombia's imports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews amounted to 5 983 K $ US, showing a slight gain of 2.0% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 15.9%, averaging an annualized decline of 5.6%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 5 863 K $ US, which experienced the largest drop of 31.9%. The highest value was in 2018 at 8 611 K $ US, with the largest increase of 21.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bolivia (33.5% of imports in value terms), the Philippines (16.6%), and India (14.2%) remained the key suppliers of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews to Colombia. Collectively, they accounted for 64.3% of total import value.

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

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