Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormProcessed (Liquid/Crystallized)
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Honey (miel de abejas) in Colombia is produced within a national apicultural chain (CPAA) with regional committees and activity concentrated in multiple departments including Antioquia, Sucre, Meta, Córdoba, Boyacá, Cundinamarca and Magdalena. MinAgricultura has published an estimated national base of around 163,215 hives and ~6,599 tonnes of honey per year (published in 2024), indicating a meaningful domestic supply base. Trade data for HS 040900 show Colombia as a net importer in 2023, with imports materially exceeding exports. Market access and formal commercialization are strongly shaped by Colombia’s honey technical regulation (Resolución 1057 de 2010) and INVIMA controls, including mandatory labeling (infant under-1 warning and origin disclosure for imported/blended honey) and import processing via VUCE for products under INVIMA surveillance.
Market RoleNet importer with domestic production base
Domestic RoleDomestic consumption product with organized sector development via the CPAA (regional committees and producer organizations) and continued efforts to improve productivity and compliance in producing regions.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Color varies widely depending on botanical origin (from nearly colorless to dark/amber tones) (Resolución 1057 de 2010).
- Consistency may be fluid, viscous or crystallized; flavor and aroma derive from plant origin (Resolución 1057 de 2010).
Compositional Metrics- Composed essentially of sugars with predominance of fructose and glucose, plus organic acids, enzymes and natural particles derived from production (Resolución 1057 de 2010).
Packaging- Mandatory label statement: “Alimento no recomendado para niños menores de un (1) año” (Resolución 1057 de 2010).
- Imported honey labeling must declare the country of origin where the honey was collected; for blends, indicate the countries and the proportions of the blend (Resolución 1057 de 2010).
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Apiaries/beekeepers → harvest and extraction (e.g., centrifuged or pressed) → settling/filtration → quality/sanitary conformity checks → packaging & labeling → wholesale/distribution → retail
Temperature- Honey storage temperature maximum of 20°C is specified in Colombia’s honey technical regulation (Resolución 1057 de 2010).
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighNon-compliance with Colombia’s honey technical regulation (Resolución 1057 de 2010)—including required sanitary conformity and mandatory labeling (infant under-1 warning; origin disclosure for imported/blended honey)—can prevent the product from being marketed as “miel” in Colombia and can trigger delays, withdrawal, or rejection in formal channels.Run pre-shipment conformity testing against the Resolution 1057 framework; perform a Spanish label and claims review (including origin/blend statements); prepare INVIMA/VUCE documentation before shipment dispatch.
Food Fraud MediumThe regulation explicitly prohibits adding ingredients/additives other than honey and restricts practices that can mislead consumers; authenticity failures (e.g., added sugars/syrups) can lead to enforcement action and reputational damage in the Colombian market.Implement supplier qualification and authenticity screening; require batch-level traceability and sealed chain-of-custody for bulk shipments.
Food Safety MediumHoney must not show signs of fermentation/effervescence and is subject to microbiological requirements under the national technical regulation, creating a compliance risk if moisture/handling is poor or storage conditions are uncontrolled.Control moisture and handling hygiene; use food-grade containers; verify microbiological conformity through accredited testing before sale/import.
Logistics MediumHoney is weight-intensive and sensitive to handling/temperature management; transport delays and cost volatility can raise landed cost and increase exposure to leakage, crystallization management issues, and quality degradation if storage guidance is not followed.Use robust packaging (drums/IBCs/jars) with leak prevention; plan buffer times and insured transport; maintain storage discipline aligned to the regulation’s temperature guidance.
Labor & Social- Smallholder/family-farming producer base is prominent in sector communications; supplier onboarding may require capacity-building on good practices, documentation and formalization via producer organizations and departmental committees.
FAQ
What labeling warning is required for honey sold in Colombia regarding infants?Colombia’s honey technical regulation (Resolución 1057 de 2010) requires the label statement: “Alimento no recomendado para niños menores de un (1) año”.
Do imported honey products need to disclose origin information on the label in Colombia?Yes. Resolución 1057 de 2010 requires imported honey labels to state the country where the honey was collected; for blends, it must list the countries and the proportions of the blend.
What is a key pre-arrival step for importing INVIMA-regulated food products into Colombia?INVIMA explains that import intentions are filed through Colombia’s VUCE platform, and for products under INVIMA surveillance the INVIMA visto bueno for the import registration/license must be processed prior to arrival and nationalization.