Learn about the exports that have increased despite COVID-19 in Colombia

[jisansorkar12]

Among the sectors that have best weathered the pandemic in Colombia are agriculture, with a slight growth of 0.7% in exports for the year to date, and agro-industrial sectors, which have grown by 4.1%.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, they have registered increases in their exports of fresh beef (151.6%), frozen fish (138.7%), panela (30.3%), dairy products and poultry eggs (21%), frozen beef (20%), palm oil (14.8%), sugar (13.7%), coffee concentrates (12.7%), coffee (2.6%) and soybean oil (1.6%).

In fresh fruit, sales of mandarins (433.9%), watermelons (73.4%), mangoes (52.8%), oranges (24.8%) and tahiti limes (7.9%) stood out, among others. Exports of Hass avocado increased by 29% and could exceed US$100 million for architect database the first time this year, making it an important player in the agro-export basket.

Exports of manufactured products are also noteworthy. For example, face masks. In the cumulative amount to August, these exports total US$35.9 million, while in the same period last year they did not exceed US$85,000. There are many companies producing cleaning products, absorbent and cleaning implements, chemicals, protective face shields, antibacterial gels, multivitamins, and hospital furniture and uniforms that are taking advantage of the situation.

There are also cases of goods and services companies that belong to the Industry 4.0 sectors with cybersecurity services and health software, such as the company Deepsea, which exported COVID-19 thermographic cameras to measure temperature at building and office entrances. Or Vortexbird, whose online events platform closed negotiations with one of the largest organizers in Panama.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, these exports are growing: electrical transformers (43.1%), paper-cardboard products (1.6%), discs-tapes-recording media (22.5%), car bodies (701%), cast glass (1.5%), soaps (1.7%) and oral hygiene preparations (2.8%).

To contribute to the reactivation, and within the framework of the “Commitment to Colombia” plan, the Government will prioritize the export of 134 goods to 57 countries, explained the Vice Minister of Foreign Trade, Laura Valdivieso. In this segment, 1,911 companies and more than 3,500 international buyers have already been identified.

In addition, public purchases from other governments must be explored. The goal here is to get 50 companies to sell US$2 million in items such as coffee and its derivatives, fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products and their derivatives, oils and fats, sugar and agro-industry, software and IT services, engineering and construction services, hospital equipment and uniforms, among others. Opportunities were identified in 21 goods and services with a special emphasis on industry 4.0.

Finally, ProColombia found that regional trade will be strengthened after the pandemic, as will nearshoring, even more so now for Colombia, which has the pro tempore presidency of the CAN and the Virtual Macro Business Roundtable of the Americas will be held in November. “Colombia can lead the economic reactivation of the region,” said Flavia Santoro, president of ProColombia.