Market
Fresh plum in Colombia is a domestic consumption fruit with concentrated highland production in Boyacá, where the Horvin plum is reported as a major local variety. UN Comtrade data (via WITS) indicates Colombia is a net importer of fresh plums and sloes (HS 080940), with 2023 import supply led by Spain/European Union and Chile. Exports from Colombia are comparatively small and focused on nearby Caribbean destinations such as Aruba and Curaçao. Postharvest quality and cold-chain discipline are recurring issues in the domestic supply chain, with reported losses linked to harvest timing, packaging, transport, and temperature control.
Market RoleNet importer with limited domestic production and small exports
Domestic RoleDomestic fresh fruit crop with production concentrated in Boyacá (Horvin variety highlighted) and marketed primarily for national consumption
Risks
Phytosanitary HighNon-compliance with ICA phytosanitary import requirements (e.g., DRFI conditions, certificate alignment, or pest findings) can result in border delay, rejection, or loss of authorization; ICA notes DRFI can be annulled if quarantine pest risk changes.Before shipment, align the exporting NPPO phytosanitary certificate statements exactly to the ICA DRFI (when required), and run a document/packaging/lot conformity check against ICA’s PAPF inspection checklist.
Climate MediumClimate variability can reduce Horvin plum quality and marketability in Boyacá, including color/skin damage and changes in development timing that disrupt harvest planning.Use local agroclimatic monitoring and orchard shading/management practices where applicable; plan flexible harvest windows and quality sorting for heat-stress defects.
Postharvest Quality MediumDomestic supply chains have documented postharvest losses linked to harvest indices, inadequate packaging, transport handling, and lack of temperature control, which can reduce usable volume and increase price volatility.Standardize maturity indices, upgrade packaging to reduce bruising, and enforce continuous cold-chain handling from packing through wholesale distribution.
Logistics MediumPerishability makes fresh plums sensitive to transit delays and refrigerated logistics constraints; cold-chain breaks increase shrink and rejection risk for both domestic and imported supply.Contract refrigerated transport/reefer capacity in advance during peak import windows and implement temperature logging for shipments and domestic transfers.
Sustainability- Climate variability and warming risk affecting Horvin plum quality in Boyacá (temperature/precipitation shifts linked to color defects/sunburn risk and altered development timing).
- Postharvest loss reduction as a sustainability lever (packaging, temperature control, and transport handling).
FAQ
Which documents are commonly required to import fresh plums into Colombia?ICA indicates imports of regulated plant products may require a DRFI (when applicable), a phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin, transport documents (e.g., bill of lading or air waybill), and a commercial invoice/packing list; ICA inspection at the port/airport precedes DIAN nationalization steps.
Is Colombia mainly an importer or exporter of fresh plums?UN Comtrade data presented via WITS shows Colombia is primarily an importer for HS 080940 (plums and sloes, fresh): in 2023, imports to Colombia were led by Spain/European Union and Chile, while Colombia’s exports were much smaller and mainly went to Aruba and Curaçao.
Where is Colombia’s domestic plum production most concentrated?Agronet reports (citing Asohofrucol) that Boyacá is the main plum-producing area and that Horvin plums represent a large share of Colombia’s national production, with production highlighted around the Province of Márquez and municipalities such as Nuevo Colón.