Colombia's agricultural sector expanded 2.4% year-over-year in the third quarter of 2025, falling short of the national GDP growth rate of 3.6% and marking a slowdown from first-half performances of 6.5% and 3.6%, according to official statistics released in November. Palm oil led sectoral gains with an 11.6% production increase and prices climbing approximately 23% versus the prior year, while coffee exports benefited from domestic prices running 64% above 2024 levels, delivering 9.8% growth.
Rice production collapsed 21.7% with prices down 11% annually, and sugar faced margin pressure despite a 10% output increase, as crude prices remained below 15 cents per pound—beneath Brazil's production costs. Cacao export values doubled with volumes rising 40%, and banana and plantain shipments jumped 15% and 29% respectively. Industry analysts describe the 2026 outlook as "encouraging but turbulent," citing uncertainties around China-U.S. trade relations, weather patterns, and continued dollar weakness affecting export revenues from key agricultural commodities.