Coconuts market in Colombia

Earlier Report Observations

Colombia's coconut market volume grew consistently from 144.4 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 158.1 thousand tons in 2021. This expansion was fueled by rising domestic demand for packaged coconut water and the industry's active pursuit of membership in the International Coconut Community (ICC), which aimed to secure technical cooperation and reduce trade barriers for exports, particularly to the United States. Concurrently, efforts to modernize and formalize the sector through improved cultivation standards and research programs supported steady production increases.

After 2021, the market volume contracted sharply to 122.3 thousand tons in 2022 and stabilized at 123.5 thousand tons in 2023. During this phase, the sector attracted significant new investment, notably from GP Agro, which committed $4 million to plant 230 hectares in Córdoba with a unique hybrid variety. The company's project aimed to position it as Colombia's largest coconut producer, focusing on technological upgrades and formalization similar to those in the coffee and avocado industries.

Production remained concentrated in coastal regions such as Nariño, Cauca, and the Caribbean, where ongoing initiatives to strengthen the supply chain and articulate the coconut with national and international markets continued. The emphasis on quality standards and sector organization aimed to enhance long-term competitiveness, even as short-term market volumes adjusted.

Production coconuts in Colombia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Colombia ranked as the 23rd largest producer of coconuts globally.

Top producers of coconuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of coconuts, 2017-2020

Colombia's coconut production volume grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 153.8 K t of coconuts, marking a 5.6% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 8.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 140.2 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 1.4%.

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

Exports coconuts from Colombia

Exports in kind, t

Colombia's coconut exports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 164 t, a substantial 260.6% rise from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 4 096.1%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 247.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Curaçao and Aruba together accounted for 92.7% of Colombia's total coconut exports by volume, with the remainder distributed among smaller markets.

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 coconut export value grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 116 K $ US, showing a sharp year-over-year increase of 91.2%. Between 2017 and 2020, export value rose by 465.9%, with an annualized rate of 78.2%.

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

During 2017-2020, Curaçao (46.0% of export value), Panama (17.9%), and Aruba (17.9%) remained the primary buyers of Colombian coconuts, collectively representing 81.8% 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 to Colombia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Colombia's coconut import volume amounted to 3 578 t, reflecting a moderate 4.8% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 7.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.4%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 4 139 t, which also saw the largest increase of 24.1%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 17.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Venezuela dominated Colombia's coconut imports by volume, holding a 71.3% share of total flows, while other partners accounted for the rest.

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

After two years of decline, Colombia's coconut import value rebounded in 2020. The country imported 2 802 K $ US worth of coconuts, a 42.6% year-over-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 14.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 965 K $ US, following the largest decline of 11.4% in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the Philippines (48.7% of import value), Venezuela (19.8%), and Vietnam (19.6%) were the key sources for Colombia's coconut imports, together comprising 88.1% 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