Colombia’s flower and cocoa industries are reaching international markets with high quality characteristics.
Full of aromas, colors, and flavors, Colombian flowers, cocoa, and cocoa-derived products reach international markets in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Their goal is to be used in a range of industries from agrifood to events and cosmetics, and these product’s exports rely on a renowned reputation and high standard of quality.
Colombian cocoa beans are a delight for savvy cocoa tasters. Its flavor alone has earned the product international recognition. For instance, in 2020, the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO), ratified the decision to name Colombia among the Fine and Flavor Cocoa Exporting Countries: 95% of all the cocoa Colombia exports are Fine and Flavor cocoa beans.
Colombian Fine and Flavor cocoa beans.
For international buyers, 2021 might deliver a fruitful harvest as cocoa production has reached a historical high during May. According to The National Federation of Cocoa Growers, in the first quarter of 2021, the highest production figures in history have been registered-- with 20.836 tons. This represents an increase of 47% when compared to the 2020s 14.174 tons.
Exportations of these products are increasing, too. In 2019, Colombia exported US $61.4 million Cocoa and cocoa-derived products, according to the National Administrative Department of Statistics. Preliminary data shows that between January and May 2021, exports totaled US $47.2 million. This is 2.4% more than the reported exportations between January and May 2020.
2021’s main international buyers of Colombian cocoa and cocoa-derived products are Trinidad and Tobago (US$958.000), Spain (US$378.000), and Italy (US$75.000). ProColombia, the official agency promoting exports, had also found opportunities in markets such as Mexico, United States, Holland, Malaysia, Germany, Costa Rica, India, Japan, South Korea, Turkey, France, Dominican Republic, United Arab Emirates, Bahrein, and Australia.
Colombian cocoa use is not limited to the agri-food industry. Flavia Santoro, Pro Colombia's president had signaled: "additionally to cacao beans, Colombia has an exportable offer of other products as cacao paste, cacao liquor, cacao butter, oils, and organic cocoa powder, highly demanded by the food and cosmetic industry on a global level”.
Aided by favorable climate conditions, Colombia’s horticulture industry has a consistent availability of fresh flowers to export all year long. For celebrations and special events, there are a variety of different species to choose from, especially when you consider the country’s position as the second-most biodiverse country on earth.
The National Administrative Department of Statistics registered a total of USD $688 million, on plants and foliage exportations from Colombia for May 2021. Compared with the same period in 2020, this represents an increase of 12.2%. Plant and flower product exports totaled US $854.07 from January to May 2021.
Currently, Colombia is supplying several different markets. With top-quality products and prices, even the world’s main exporter, the Netherlands, imports and resells Colombian flowers. Around 80% of the fresh flowers are sold in the United States, with the free-trade agreements speeding up the process to import flowers from Colombia. By May 2021, the exports to this country registered US $681.952. On the other hand, the destinations which registered the highest increases compared to May in the previous year were: Ecuador, China, Holland, and France. Other destinations receiving flowers from Colombia are Japan, India, Peru, Germany, and Belgium.
Colombian fresh flowers. Roses, chrysanthemums, carnations, hydrangeas, alstroemerias- and the national flower, cattleya orchid- are well known for their quality.
E-commerce is now key to finding partnerships and business alliances in different markets. Find Colombian fresh flowers growers and cacao producers ready to export at the Colombian B2B Marketplace.
