The evolution of Colombian livestock exports: From basic markets to specialized destinations

Published 2024년 8월 21일

Tridge summary

The Colombian agricultural sector, particularly the livestock industry, has experienced significant shifts since the late 1990s due to changes in Venezuelan market demand. The decline of Venezuela as a major export market forced Colombia to diversify, leading to the expansion into 27 international markets spanning Russia, the Middle East, and North Africa. This expansion was facilitated by the Colombian Federation of Cattle Ranchers (Fedegán) and the Price Stabilization Fund (FEP), alongside advances in logistics and refrigeration technology. Improved sanitary standards, especially in maintaining foot-and-mouth disease-free status, have been key to accessing more stringent markets. Despite a global shift towards cheaper proteins, Colombian beef exports have continued to grow, positioning the sector as the fourth largest agricultural export after coffee, flowers, and bananas.

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Original content

The history of Colombian exports is closely linked to Venezuela, especially during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Venezuela’s proximity and demand provided a straightforward market, with simple logistics involving mostly land transport and basic refrigeration requirements. However, the Venezuelan market began to decline around 2009, forcing Colombia to look for new opportunities. Cubillos describes this period as an “illusion” for the Colombian livestock industry. The Venezuelan boom provided a temporary boost, but its eventual closure left a void that Colombia had to fill by exploring other international markets. This change was not only geographical, but also in the sophistication of logistics and technology involved in meat exports. The rise of specialized markets Today, the Colombian export landscape is very different. As Cubillos described, thanks to the management of the Colombian Federation of Cattle Ranchers (Fedegán), through the Price Stabilization Fund (FEP), dynamism ...

Source: Agromeat