Colombia strengthens ties with China
A high-level Colombian trade delegation is to meet with Chinese officials in a bid to export avocados to the lucrative Asian market. China and Colombia already enjoy close trade relations, and the visit by the Colombian president Ivan Duque together with senior members of his cabinet is intended to further strengthen these ties. Exports to China now represent 9.7% of Colombia’s total shipments. The Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA) has been working intensively on ensuring compliance at the country’s packing and processing plants, orchards and inspection centres.
The main avocado variety produced in Colombia is Hass, and exports of the fruit increased by 45% during the first five months of 2019, worth US$32 million – up from US$22 million for the same period in 2018.
