Milk market in Colombia

Earlier Report Observations

Colombia's milk market volume declined from 7 387 thousand tons in 2018 to 6 867 thousand tons in 2019, pressured by higher input costs for feed, fertilizers, and energy that reduced producer profitability. Pandemic-related adjustments to raw milk payment rules in 2020 supported a recovery to 7 125 thousand tons.

A modest contraction to 7 034 thousand tons followed in 2021 before the market reached a high of 7 473 thousand tons in 2022, fueled by an 8.3% rise in raw milk collection after the opening of 20 new export destinations. The gain was reversed in 2023 when volume dropped to 7 356 thousand tons on a 6% fall in consumption, accumulated stocks, and increasing import competition under ongoing free-trade agreement tariff reductions.

Production milk in Colombia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Colombia ranked 25th globally in milk production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Milk production in Colombia increased after a two-year decline. In 2020, Colombia produced 7,071 thousand tons of milk, marking a modest 3.6% gain compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 5.5%, which translates to an annualized rate of 1.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 6,825 thousand tons, with the largest decline of 7.3% occurring that same year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Milk production in Colombia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 18,355 million US dollars, indicating a 0.9% year-over-year fall. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 30.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.3%.

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

Exports milk from Colombia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility during the observed period. The lowest exports were recorded in 2019 at 769 tons, while the highest occurred in 2017, reflecting a 5.6-fold gap between these years. In 2020, milk exports from Colombia amounted to 1,919 tons, corresponding to a significant uptick of 149.6% compared to 2019. The largest decline of 79.3% was also recorded in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Venezuela, and Ecuador were the top buyers of milk from Colombia, accounting for 38.1%, 17.1%, and 15.1% of exports in kind, respectively. Their combined share reached 70.3% of total exports in kind.

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, M $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 2.1 million US dollars and peaked in 2017, showing a 7.2-fold difference. In 2020, Colombia exported 5.0 million US dollars of milk, indicating an intense gain of 138.7% compared to the previous year. The largest decline of 82.0% was recorded in 2019.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Russia, Ecuador, and Venezuela remained the key partners in exports by value, with shares of 33.7%, 20.4%, and 18.0%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 72.1% 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 milk to Colombia

Imports in kind, t

Colombia's milk imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Colombia imported a total of milk, representing a 29.7% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 107.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 27.5%.

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

Over 2017 to 2020, the United States, Mexico, and Bolivia were the leading sources of milk imports in kind for Colombia, with shares of 53.4%, 12.0%, and 11.1%, respectively. Their combined share accounted for 76.5% 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, M $ US

Colombia's milk imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 158.2 million US dollars, equivalent to an abrupt advance of 41.3% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 123.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 30.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 67.7 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 4.3% occurring that year, while the largest increase of 65.4% was recorded in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Mexico, and Bolivia together absorbed 77.8% of total milk imports by value into Colombia, with shares of 49.6%, 15.1%, and 13.1%, respectively, making them the main sources.

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

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