Colombia Emerges as a Key Sustainable Hass Supplier for Europe: What It Means for the Netherlands

Why Colombia Matters More Than Ever

• In 2023, exports grew by 26.4% compared to 2022 — the strongest annual increase on record.
• Colombia shipped 5,125 forty-foot containers of Hass avocados that year.
• The Netherlands received 2,703 containers, accounting for 53% of Colombia’s total export volume.

This remarkable growth has positioned Colombia as the third-largest producer of Hass avocados globally. In 2024, the sector’s export value surpassed USD 300 million, underscoring its strategic importance for Colombia’s agrifood economy.

Why Colombian Hass Fits Europe’s Sustainability Demands

For European markets — particularly the Netherlands — Colombia offers a uniquely sustainable value proposition:

• Rain-fed production

In key producing regions (Antioquia, Risaralda, Caldas, Tolima, Cauca), orchards are almost entirely rain-fed, significantly reducing irrigation and lowering water stress. This makes Colombian Hass among the lowest water-use avocados in the world.

• Year-round harvest

Colombia’s varied altitudes and microclimates enable continuous harvesting, helping Europe bridge seasonal gaps between Peru, Chile, South Africa, and Spain.

• Favourable soils

Avocado plantations often sit on volcanic or mineral-rich soils with excellent drainage and ideal pH levels, reducing the need for soil correction and contributing to consistent quality.

• Strong social footprint

The sector supports over 60,000 jobs across 16 regions, acting as a powerful engine of rural development. It provides stable, formal livelihoods in regions transitioning away from illicit economies or historically affected by conflict — making Hass avocados one of Colombia’s most impactful peace-building crops.

Combined, these natural advantages give Colombia a unique competitive positioning as a high-quality, low-impact year-round supplier — exactly what European retailers and consumers are increasingly demanding.

Why Dutch Agrifood Companies Are Turning to Colombia

The Netherlands is not just an important buyer — it is Colombia’s primary entry point to Europe and a strategic partner in strengthening the avocado chain.

1. The Netherlands as the gateway

More than half of Colombia’s avocado exports enter Europe through the Port of Rotterdam, reinforcing the Netherlands' role as a logistics and distribution hub for fresh produce.

2. Dutch innovation as a growth driver

• This partnership opens multiple opportunities for the Dutch private sector:
• Precision agriculture & remote sensing to improve yields and climate resilience.
• Soil health solutions, reducing inputs and enhancing productivity.
• Certification, quality assurance, and compliance, areas where Dutch firms have global leadership.
• Postharvest innovation, including coatings, sensors, and storage technologies.
• Value-added processing, enabling Colombia to diversify beyond fresh fruit

Dutch Mission to Colombia at the Territorio Aguacate Fair

In early November, a delegation of seven Dutch agrifood companies travelled to Medellín to participate in Territorio Aguacate 2025 as part of the Dutch government’s Sustainable Agrifood Systems combitrack. The mission included technical visits to Coltrópicos, one of Colombia’s leading export and processing hubs, and Avolab, the country’s first innovation laboratory dedicated to advancing the avocado value chain.

The delegation also joined a high-level roundtable with representatives from the Colombian government, exporters, academia, and sector associations. Discussions focused on market trends, policy developments, and concrete opportunities for collaboration within the rapidly expanding Hass sector.

As Colombia scales up its avocado industry, Dutch expertise in agri-innovation, certification, and logistics will play an increasingly important role. The Sustainable Agrifood Systems combitrack helps guide this transition by promoting responsible production, reinforcing bilateral trade, and enabling Dutch companies to contribute to—and benefit from—one of the world’s most dynamic emerging supply chains.

The mission demonstrated how Dutch capabilities and Colombian potential fit together: a genuine win-win partnership for sustainable trade and innovation. More importantly, it underscored a broader strategic message: Colombia is not just another supplier. It is a key partner in building a resilient, sustainable, and competitive avocado supply chain for Europe.

If you would like to learn more about the avocado sector in Colombia or explore commercial opportunities in this growing market, please contact the Agricultural Team of the Embassy:

BOG-LVVN@MINBUZA.NL