The premium for US dollars in Colombia’s retail exchange market has expanded sharply, with street prices trading approximately $154 above the official reference rate (TRM) on Wednesday.
This widening gap highlights the persistent pressure on the greenback from retail consumers and small businesses, who are increasingly turning to informal channels to secure foreign currency at rates that diverge from the interbank market.
These figures represent a significant markup over the TRM, which opened the session more than $12 below its previous close, indicating a softening in the formal market that has not yet translated to the retail sector.
Major exchange houses are leading the pricing action.
Banco Unión is currently selling dollars at COP 3,510, while Latin Cambios and Cóndor are quoting rates of COP 3,430 and COP 3,400, respectively.
These figures represent a significant markup over the TRM, which opened the session more than $12 below its previous close, indicating a softening in the formal market that has not yet translated to the retail sector.
The divergence between the TRM and street prices underscores the structural demand for dollars in Colombia, where importers and households often face constraints in accessing foreign currency through traditional banking channels.