Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Fresh ginger in Colombia is primarily an import-supplied market: UN Comtrade/WITS reports Colombia imported 1,206,330 kg of ginger (HS 091010) valued at USD 569.66 thousand in 2024, while exports were much smaller at 13,834 kg (USD 87.75 thousand). In 2024, Peru and Ecuador were among the leading external suppliers to Colombia for ginger under this HS code. Domestic cultivation exists but appears limited; a UNIDO/GQSP sector diagnostic reports ginger cultivation presence in departments including Amazonas, Chocó, and Magdalena. For market entry, Colombia’s plant-health authority (ICA) manages phytosanitary import requirements via the DRFI/SISPAP workflow and performs inspection at ports, airports, and border posts (PAPF) prior to issuing the phytosanitary clearance needed to proceed with nationalization.
Market RoleNet importer (import-dependent consumer market)
Domestic RoleCulinary and foodservice ingredient supplied mainly by imports, with limited domestic cultivation
Market GrowthNot Mentioned
Specification
Packaging- Commercial shipments should be consistently described across invoice and packing list and align with shipment documentation presented for ICA inspection at the port/airport/border (PAPF).
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Exporting-country certification (phytosanitary certificate) → arrival to Colombia (PAPF) → ICA document review + phytosanitary inspection → issuance/denial of Certificado Fitosanitario para Nacionalización (CFN) → DIAN nationalization process → domestic distribution
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Phytosanitary Compliance HighNon-compliance with ICA phytosanitary import requirements (e.g., missing/invalid DRFI where required, mismatch between DRFI measures and the exporting-country phytosanitary certificate, or inspection findings at PAPF) can prevent issuance of the Certificado Fitosanitario para Nacionalización (CFN), blocking nationalization and effectively stopping market entry for the consignment.Obtain the DRFI via SISPAP before shipment when required, ensure the exporting authority issues the phytosanitary certificate in line with the DRFI measures, and run a pre-shipment document reconciliation (certificate, invoice, packing list, transport docs) against the ICA checklist.
Regulatory Compliance MediumDRFI validity and continuity risk: ICA states the DRFI is valid for 90 days and may be annulled if quarantine pests of concern to Colombia appear in the exporting country, creating a risk of sudden non-validity for planned shipments.Time DRFI issuance close to shipment, monitor ICA alerts and exporting-country plant-health notices, and maintain alternative origins/suppliers to rebook shipments if DRFI validity is impacted.
Logistics MediumDelays at entry points (PAPF) due to inspection scheduling, documentation discrepancies, or routing disruptions can increase landed cost and raise quality-loss risk for fresh consignments.Book inspection windows early where feasible, use a standardized document pack, and align packaging/unit counts exactly with invoice and packing list to reduce inspection and clearance friction.
FAQ
What is the DRFI and how long is it valid for importing fresh ginger into Colombia?The DRFI (Documento de Requisitos Fitosanitarios para Importación) is ICA’s official document that communicates the phytosanitary conditions a plant product shipment must meet to enter Colombia (when the product’s risk category requires it). ICA states it is valid for 90 calendar days from issuance for a single shipment, cannot contain amendments, and can be annulled if quarantine pest risk changes in the exporting country.
Which documents are commonly needed for ICA inspection at the port, airport, or border post (PAPF) when importing ginger?ICA lists core documents for PAPF inspection such as the DRFI when required, the exporting country’s phytosanitary certificate, the transport document (e.g., bill of lading/air waybill/carta porte) tied to the customs manifest, and the commercial invoice and/or packing list. ICA may also require additional annexes depending on the DRFI (for example, treatment certificates or official lab tests).
Which countries supply most of Colombia’s ginger imports?UN Comtrade/WITS data for 2024 (HS 091010) shows Peru and Ecuador among the leading reported exporters of ginger to Colombia, alongside smaller reported flows from Spain/EU and China.