Oranges market in Colombia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, Colombia's orange market volume grew moderately from 328.5 thousand tons to 342.2 thousand tons. This expansion was supported by rising export shipments, facilitated by the Colombian Agricultural Institute's (ICA) efforts to certify producers and meet international phytosanitary requirements. However, production faced constraints from high costs and the presence of Huanglongbing (HLB) disease, which necessitated more technified farming practices.

In 2021, the market volume more than doubled to 700.5 thousand tons, with production exceeding 716 thousand tons. While specific drivers for this surge are not detailed, ongoing work to expand export markets and develop value-added agro-industry continued. Growth persisted in the following years, reaching 751.3 thousand tons in 2023, aided by the first-ever export of Colombian oranges to the Dominican Republic in 2022 and the adoption of high-precision sorting and degreening technologies to meet stringent international quality standards.

Additionally, a significant increase in orange juice exports, which rose by 419.61% in the first eight months of 2023, created further demand for oranges for processing. Global production trends from major competitors also influenced the market dynamics for Colombian oranges.

Production oranges in Colombia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Colombia ranked 24th globally in orange production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of oranges, 2017-2020

World map of production of oranges, 2017-2020

Orange production in Colombia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 366.0 K t of oranges, marking a 4.2% gain compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 10.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.4%.

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

Exports oranges from Colombia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Exports bottomed in 2018 at 11 187 t and peaked in 2020 at 24 631 t, representing a 2.2-fold difference. In 2020, foreign orange supplies from Colombia increased by 72.4% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 39.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ecuador remained the primary market for exports in kind, accounting for 73.1% of total flows, while the remaining volume was distributed among numerous other destinations.

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 orange export value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 11 266 K $ US, reflecting a dramatic rise of 79.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 220.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 47.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Ecuador and France remained the key partner countries for exports in value terms, together accounting for 84.6% 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 oranges to Colombia

Imports in kind, t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Imports changed by a factor of 2.4, from a trough in 2017 to a peak in 2018. In 2020, imported orange volumes in Colombia reached 855 t, showing negligible variation compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 271 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 33.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 135.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain (39.3% of imports in kind), Chile (35.6% of imports in kind), and the United States (8.2% of imports in kind) remained the key partners for imports in kind, collectively accounting for 83.1% of total 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, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Import levels fluctuated 2.3-fold between the low of 2017 and the high of 2018. In 2020, Colombia's orange imports totaled 1 003 K $ US, which is 13.8% higher compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 330 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 33.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 131.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Spain (39.6% of imports in value terms), Chile (39.5% of imports in value terms), and the United States (12.0% of imports in value terms) remained the main markets for imports in value terms of oranges to Colombia, jointly accounting for 91.1% 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