Frozen potatoes market in Colombia

Earlier Report Observations

The Colombian frozen potato market volume grew from 65 269 t in 2018 to 67 563 t in 2019. This increase was supported by the imposition of anti-dumping duties on imports of frozen fries from Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands in 2018, which shielded domestic producers from foreign competition and helped maintain local output.

Market volume dropped sharply to 56 631 t in 2020 before rebounding to 68 614 t in 2021. The introduction of front-of-pack nutritional labeling rules via Resolution 810 of 2021 increased transparency for consumers, potentially stimulating demand and contributing to the recovery.

In 2022, market volume fell again to 54 388 t after the WTO dispute panel ruled that Colombia's anti-dumping duties violated international trade rules, leading to their revocation and restored access for EU fries. Concurrently, updated front-of-pack labeling requirements under Resolution 2492 of 2022 came into force, adding compliance costs. The market recovered to 67 467 t in 2023 as per‑capita consumption of frozen potatoes grew and major players like McCain and Frozen Express promoted a '100% nacional' seal to differentiate and boost demand for locally produced frozen potatoes.

Production frozen potatoes in Colombia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Colombia was among the world's leading producers of frozen potatoes from 2017 to 2020, ranking 7th globally by production volume.

Top producers of frozen potatoes, 2017-2020

World map of production of frozen potatoes, 2017-2020

In 2020, Colombia produced 57 312 tonnes of frozen potatoes, marking a substantial decline of 16.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 29.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 18.4%, while 2019 saw a modest increase of 3.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Colombia's frozen potato production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 136.0 million US dollars, representing a strong decrease of 20.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 36.9%, equating to an annualized rate of -14.2%.

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

Exports frozen potatoes from Colombia

Exports in kind, t

Colombia exported 683.0 tonnes of frozen potatoes in 2020, showing a moderate reduction of 3.8% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 11.2%, with an annualized rate of -3.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 680.1 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 11.6%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase at 4.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Japan were the dominant destinations for Colombia's frozen potato exports in volume terms, jointly accounting for 83.5% of total flows, while the remaining volume was 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 frozen potato export value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 1 621 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a reduction of 9.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 21%, equating to an annualized rate of -7.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States and Japan remained the main markets for Colombia's frozen potato exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 83.8% of total flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports frozen potatoes to Colombia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Colombia imported 2.2 tonnes of frozen potatoes, reflecting an abrupt loss of 33.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 59.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -26.2%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 40.0%, while 2019 saw no change at 0.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium was the almost exclusive supplier of frozen potatoes to Colombia, accounting for 100.0% of total imports in volume terms.

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 frozen potato imports amounted to 2 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp decline of 30.4% from a year earlier. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 47.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -19.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 32.4%, while 2019 saw an increase of 12.3%.

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

Over 2017-2020, Belgium was by far the main source for Colombia's frozen potato imports in value terms, accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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