The Horticulture Association of Colombia (Asohofrucol) presented a report on the horticultural sector's trading behaviour in the international market during the period between January and April 2014.
The report states that, during this period, the national horticultural sector had a trade deficit, as import volumes were 58,800 tons higher than export volumes. Thus, the deficit registered in the first quarter of 2014 amounted to $57.2 million dollars.
The deficit, however, was lower than that from the same period of 2013, as there was only a 34.8% decrease in volume and 18% decrease in value.
Overall, exports of fruits and vegetables -except bananas- between January and April 2014 amounted to 74,600 tons, 42.2% more than in the same period in 2013 (43,100 tons) as a result of increased sales abroad of plantains, oranges, pineapples and Tahiti lime.
In contrast, exports of processed mangoes and vine tomatoes decreased. However, exports amounted to 74.4 million dollars FOB, 24.1% more than in the same period of 2013 ($ 43.1 million).
The main exports were of plantain (57%), orange (15%) baby bananas (6%), Tahiti lime (4%) and other prepared fruit (4%), which, all together, accounts for 85.9% of total exports. According to the report, this indicates a high degree of concentration and low diversification.
The products that had an increase in exported volumes, when compared to last year, were oranges (1.118%), pineapples (1,033.4%), Tahiti limes (328.4%) and plantains (61%). Conversely, the products that reduced their export volume were processed mango (-13.2%) and vine tomatoes (-4.8%).
The main target markets for horticultural exports in the period under review were the U.S. (53%), the United Kingdom (15%), Ecuador (15%), the Netherlands (4%) and Belgium (4%).
It's worth noting that these countries represent 90.8% of total exports, indicating a high level of concentration in exports.
The document also specifies that Ecuador, USA and the UK were the countries that had a higher increase in purchases, while Belgium reduced purchases of Colombian fruit and vegetables by nearly 50%, a situation that is mainly due to the decrease in sales of plantains.
The volume of imports amounted to 133,400 tons, 8.3% more than in 2013 (122,400 tons). The value of foreign purchases was estimated at 131.6 million dollars CIF, 5.8% more than in 2013 when they totalled 124 million dollars CIF.
According to the report, the main imports were of: apples (27%), onions and shallots (13%), plantain (7%), pears (7%) and garlic (6%), which account for 65.2% of total imports.
The mayor increases in import volumes were of plantains (224.4%), grapes (18.3%) and pears (16.8%), due to the supply from Chile, Peru, U.S. and Ecuador. The products that showed a decline in import volumes were garlic (40.3%) and peaches (16.1%), as the country bought less of these products from countries like China and Peru.
It's worth noting that Colombia imported the most from Chile (39%), Ecuador (18%), Peru (15%), the U.S. (11%) and China (6%); countries that represent 89.7% of total imports, which indicates there is a high degree of concentration.
The report also states that France, Peru and Ecuador increased their exports to Colombia the most, as the country bought larger quantities of grapes, banana and apple from these nations.
Meanwhile, Chinese exports to Colombia dropped by nearly 4,000 tons as a result of the decline in products like garlic and peach.
Source: Fresh Fruit Portal