Colombia’s total exports expanded by 7% in June, driven primarily by strong performance in the energy sector.
The headline growth masked significant weakness in traditional agricultural commodities, where sales of coffee and flowers fell sharply due to the appreciation of the exchange rate.
According to La República, the divergence highlights the structural shift in Colombia’s trade profile, with oil acting as the primary engine for external commerce.
While energy shipments provided a robust lift to the overall figures, the non-traditional export basket suffered from reduced competitiveness as the local currency strengthened against major trading partners.
The decline in coffee and flower sales underscores the sensitivity of these sectors to currency movements.
A stronger peso erodes the price advantage for Colombian growers in international markets, leading to lower volumes and revenue.