After being given data about the non-oil exports to the European Union, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Aurelio Iragorri Valencia, celebrated that the fastest growing line had been occupied by agriculture.
According to the Delegation of the European Union for Colombia, and based on data from the Department of Statistics of the European Commission (Eurostat), Colombian exports to the EU were mostly driven by agricultural exports, which had a growth rate of 20.94% in 2015 and passed the 2,000 million Euro mark for the first time.
"Agricultural producers, especially banana producers, have been able to take advantage of the FTA with the European Union; a bloc that has given us very important resources for the development of rural communities that are now proving it's possible to ship their products abroad," said Minister Iragorri.
He added that the Siembra Colombia plan sought to increase agricultural exports, diversify, and open new markets by complying with phytosanitary regulations.
In total, non-oil exports from Colombia to the European Union (EU) were positive in 2015 and amounted to 5,188 million Euro, i.e. 7.52% more than in the previous year, according to official statistics from the EU.
Banana is Colombia's flagship product to Europe. The Latin American country exported 850 million Euro in bananas to the EU, achieving a record volume that exceeded 1.3 million tons.
Exports of cape gooseberries and passionfruit generated 28 million Euro.
Colombia sales to the EU soared in 2015: avocado exports increased by 250% and amounted to 12.6 million Euro, pineapple (90.6%; 3.6 million Euro), fresh banana (42%; 26,8 million), fruit preparations (31.7%; 18.2 million), and oranges (31%; 3.2 million Euro), among others.
