COUNTRY PROFILE
Discover more about the Colombia market including overviews about the retail, foodservice, and food-processing sectors. Events, resources, and more are linked throughout the profile.
$583.5 million
U.S. exports of processed food to Colombia in 2024
4th
largest economy in Latin America
49.5 million
total population in 2024
USDA’s Office of Agricultural Affairs (OAA) in Bogota, hereinafter referred to as “FAS Post Bogota,” reports that top U.S. agricultural exports to Colombia in 2024 included corn, soybean products, beef and products, pork, and tree nuts. Since the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (CTPA) was implemented in 2012, U.S. agricultural exports have grown by 235%. In 2024, U.S. exports of processed food increased 30% to US$583.5 million, passing Chile as the top export market from the U.S.
FAS Post Bogota reports that Colombian middle-class expansion, retail modernization, and healthy product preference as the main drivers of demand. Consumer habits and preferences continue to evolve, opening opportunities for healthy and sustainable food products.
Top U.S. processed food products exported to Colombia in 2024 include:
$16 billion
total retail sales in the packaged food market in 2024
38%
of household expenditures attributed to food costs
$22 billion
projected value of the retail packaged food market by 2029
Euromonitor has reported that the retail sales value of the packaged food market in Colombia reached nearly US$16.3 billion in 2024. They also forecast the value of retail sales in packaged food to increase to US$22 billion by 2029.
FAS Post Bogota reports that in 2023, food accounted for the largest share of household expenditures (38%). Small local grocers (44%), discounters (17%), and food/drink/tobacco specialists (15%) are the preferred retail formats. Food e-commerce sales continued to expand in 2023, growing at 35%. alize in on-the-go products and prepared snacks. Euromonitor reported a 15% increase in sales in 2022.
FAS Post Bogota reports that Colombia is a fast-growing market for value-added food products, especially in health food categories, such as plant-based snacks and functional food products. Additionally, there is good sales potential for ingredients that substitute/replace fats, sugar, and/or sodium. Surveyed retailers and food importers feel there is significant potential for new products in all food categories.
$14 billion
total foodservice sales in 2023
$2.7 billion
in imports of consumer-oriented agricultural products from the U.S. in 2023
#1
export market for processed food products from the U.S.
FAS Post Bogota reports that hotel, restaurant, and institutional (HRI) foodservice sales in Colombia grew in 2023, increasing by 7% to US$14 billion. Despite economic challenges, growing tourism and business travel to major Colombian cities and urbanization are creating opportunities to expand U.S. exports. In 2023, Colombia imported US$2.7 billion of consumer-oriented agricultural products.
According to ACODRES, the market share of independent foodservice outlets is close to 95% in Colombia. Colombia’s HRI industry has been seriously impacted by food inflation. Therefore, small restaurants have adapted their menus and portion sizes to mitigate inflation effects.
Colombia is a fast-growing market for value-added food products. Industry surveyed retailers and food importers feel there is significant potential for new products in all food categories, among them pork meat and products, processed turkey and duck, bone-in beef cuts, processed fruits and vegetables, wine and beer, tree nuts, and dairy products.
$1.5 billion
U.S. exports of intermediate products in 2024
28%
share of country’s manufacturing industry is the food-processing sector
45,000
registered companies comprising the Colombian food industry
The U.S. remains the top international supplier to Colombia’s food ingredients sector.
According to Colombia’s National Business Association (ANDI), Colombia’s food industry is comprised of 45,000 registered companies; approximately 98% of them are small- and mid-size businesses.
A key opportunity for U.S. agricultural exporters to remain competitive in this market is in the growth in demand for ingredients that allow manufacturers to comply with Colombia’s increasing nutritional regulations, including front-of-pack labeling requirements and maximum sodium thresholds.
Top U.S. exports of intermediate products to Colombia in 2024 included soybean oil and meal, distillers grains, dextrins, peptones and protein isolates, essential oils, food flavorings, sugar, sweetener and beverage bases, vegetable oils, milled grains, and animal fats.
