Agriculture
From The Report: Colombia 2017
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Poised to grow at an exponential rate, Colombia’s agriculture sector will be the first to see the benefits of the signing of a historic peace agreement between the government and FARC. Vast untouched areas that have been inaccessible and unproductive for decades could well become the motor of growth the sector needs. Well-targeted investment could increase agricultural production by 8-10%. Many in the country believe the development of agro-industry will have the potential to promote rapid growth and a much needed restructuring of the agriculture industry. These and other ingredients make Colombia one of the most attractive countries for investment, and agri-business opportunities abound as the country’s role as a global food supplier continues to grow. This chapter features interviews with Roberto Vélez Vallejo, CEO, Colombian Coffee Growers Federation; and Rafael Mejía López, President, Colombia Commodities Exchange.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Ready to grow: A new peace deal will allow the sector to realise its potential
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Poised to grow at an exponential rate in the following years, Colombia’s agriculture sector will be the first to see the benefits of the signing of a historic peace agreement between the government and FARC, a guerilla group that has waged armed conflict in the country for more than half a century. Land, affected by inequality in both distribution and ownership and its impact on rural activity, was at the heart of the conflict, and land rights were one of the most disputed clauses in the…

Interview

Next generation: Roberto Vélez Vallejo, CEO, Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (Federación Nacional de Cafeteros, FNC), on boosting productivity and new initiatives
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Interview:Roberto Vélez Vallejo How can the country boost production and exports of Colombian coffee? ROBERTO VÉLEZ VALLEJO: The country is currently working on a number of different plans of action. The first one is the research and development branch of the FNC, the National Centre for Coffee Research. The centre has developed coffee varieties that are more productive and resistant to diseases such as rust and coffee berry disease, which adapt much better to climate variability, even…

Interview

Building on success: Rafael Mejía López, President, Colombia Commodities Exchange, on efficiency, exports and inclusiveness
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Interview: Rafael Mejía López What is Colombia’s strategy in terms of boosting fruit and vegetable exports? RAFAEL MEJÍA LOPEZ: Even before the negotiations and signing of trade agreements that brought greater economic integration, Colombia had been talking about the importance of diversifying its agricultural exports and the need to seize dynamic markets through agro-industrial products. The country has maintained and improved the competitive performance of traditional exports, such as coffee,…

Analysis

Bearing fruit: The fruit segment is expected to be a key driver of growth
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With the agriculture sector seeking ways to boost production and increase output, many eyes are on Colombia’s fruit sector, which has the potential to deliver big returns to the industry. In Latin American, Colombia is the country with the third-largest area of planted land for only fruits and vegetables at 921,000 ha, after Brazil and Mexico. However, in terms of production volume it ranks fifth. While banana exports have always been a driver of exports, fresh fruits are seen as key to…