In the first quarter of 2018 Colombian containerized trade grew by 3.2% driven by a 10.2% increase in exports, according to a report by AP Moller Maersk, which also stated that Colombian agroindustry's exports' upward trend of the last two years was still alive.
Banana, avocado, and pineapple exports increased by 14%, 80.3% and 67.8%, respectively. The commercial relationship with Europe continues to gain strength and exports grew by 15.7%.
Shipments of refrigerated containers increased by 17.7% when compared to the same period of the previous year, confirming that the Colombian fruit is managing to consolidate the efforts made in recent years to diversify and open markets.
"Shipments of Colombian fruits to Europe continue to grow as the trade relations, product of the FTA signed five years ago, mature. Our farmers are taking advantage of new technologies and new direct routes to send their products to an increasing number of markets in refrigerated containers with controlled atmospheres," said Juan Camilo Vasquez, the Commercial Sales Manager of Maersk Line.
Uncertainty regarding the presidential elections in May and trade tensions between the United States, Russia, Iran, China and other countries, explain the conservative attitude in imports. "Due to these factors, merchants are more conservative and depend more on the inventories that were left over from the Christmas season, which was marked by sales that were lower than expected," Vasquez stated.
Avocado sales
In the first three months of the year, shipments of Colombian avocado in refrigerated containers grew by 80.3%, marked by a 78.4% increase in the European market, a destination which accounts for almost all of Colombia's containerized avocado exports (98.6%). The Netherlands was the main destination for the Colombian avocado with 50.6% of shipments. It was followed by the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Spain. In the first quarter, the upward trend continued in each of these countries, with increases of 144%; 35.2%, 34.1% and 50%, respectively. "The demand for avocados is growing in the whole world. Global demand has boosted our production and technology has played a decisive role in allowing Colombian avocados to reach new destinations and start becoming a flagship export product for Colombia," Vasquez said.
Source: portafolio.co