Colombia–Netherlands: Strengthening Trade and Sustainability in Avocado and Floriculture

Avocado: A pillar of the Colombia–Netherlands trade relationship

The Netherlands is Colombia’s main European gateway for Hass avocado exports and purchases more than 60% of Colombia’s Hass avocado exports. Colombia is also one of the fastest-growing Hass avocado exporters globally, with over 60,000 tonnes exported to the Netherlands in 2024 alone.

This makes the avocado sector strategically important for both countries, not only from a trade perspective but also for advancing sustainability and quality across the value chain.

Why the sector matters

Despite its growth, the sector faces structural challenges. More than 40% of Colombia’s avocado production does not reach high-value markets due to inconsistent quality, premature ripening and limited shelf life. Quality inconsistency, premature ripening and post-harvest losses prevent a significant share of production—particularly from small and medium-sized producers, from reaching high-value markets.

Addressing these challenges aligns directly with the Netherlands’ priorities in sustainable agriculture, post-harvest innovation, food loss reduction and inclusive value chains, and creates concrete opportunities for Dutch-Colombian collaboration.

FLP Colombia: Export-oriented growth with a sustainability focus

FLP Colombia is a key avocado exporter with a strong operational footprint in the country.

During the visit to FLP Colombia, the LAN Colombia team toured one of the company’s avocado farms and its export facility in Chinchiná, Caldas.

At farm level, the team observed how FLP is gradually integrating regenerative and more sustainable agricultural practices to improve soil health, crop resilience and internal fruit quality. These efforts aim to reduce variability and strengthen long-term productivity.

At the export plant, the visit focused on post-harvest processes, including:

• Fruit selection and quality control
• Sorting and packing
• Cold chain management
• Preparation for shipment to European markets, mainly the Netherlands and Germany

Regenerative agriculture as a strategic response

Sustainability is central to FLP’s long-term strategy. In response to sector-wide challenges, the company is launching a regenerative agriculture project in partnership with the Albert Heijn Foundation, implemented on its own farms.

The objective is clear: more resilient crops, more uniform fruit quality and a cleaner, more efficient production system.

As part of its sustainability strategy, FLP Colombia is advancing a regenerative agriculture approach focused on improving soil health, crop resilience and fruit consistency. The company is working on more efficient nutrient management, improved on-farm practices and better use of data and monitoring to support long-term productivity.

These efforts aim to deliver measurable improvements in exportable quality, internal fruit performance and resource efficiency, while contributing to lower input use, greater climate resilience and more stable incomes for farmers.

Floriculture: Long-standing cooperation with Dutch roots

Colombia’s floriculture sector has been closely connected to the Netherlands for decades. It combines Colombian climatic advantages with Dutch expertise in breeding, logistics and market access.

Florius: Dutch production in Colombia

Florius is the only Dutch flower producer with its own production operations in Colombia. While many Dutch companies operate as breeders, Florius produces flowers directly, strengthening the production link between both countries.

The company grows premium varieties such as Hypericum Coco and Veronica Smart, focusing on:

• Long vase life
• Disease resistance
• Consistent quality
• Reduced chemical use

During the visit, the team observed, cultivation and harvesting of premium varieties such as Hypericum Coco and Veronica Smart, processing, grading and packing under strict quality standards, and cooling, logistics and preparation for air transport to the Netherlands

Florius operates farms in Kenya, Ethiopia and Colombia, with Colombian production located in Valle del Cauca, benefiting from stable climate and ideal growing conditions. Flowers produced in Colombia are currently shipped exclusively to the Netherlands and continue through Dutch auctions.

Sustainability, labour and local impact

Florius’ operations in Colombia integrate environmental and social responsibility:

• 60% female workforce, increasing to 75% at full production
• Cooperation with local schools and SENA for training and employment
• Annual replanting of 3,500 trees
• Water retention reservoirs to reduce flood risks
• Livestock integration supporting local dairy and meat markets
• Reintegration programs for victims of crime and support for single mothers

These efforts reflect the broader Dutch-Colombian commitment to responsible production, social inclusion and long-term value creation.

Combi-track: Sustainable Agrifood Systems

The avocado sector is part of the Combi-track Sustainable Agrifood Systems, which focuses on avocado and coffee and reflects the strong integration of Colombia and the Netherlands within the global food system. The Netherlands is a key importer of Colombian avocados and contributes expertise in trade facilitation, innovation and sustainable agrifood systems.

Through the Combi-track, both countries can work together to address challenges in the avocado sector, such as sustainability requirements, productivity and quality performance. It provides a practical framework to connect Colombian producers and exporters with Dutch knowledge, technology and market experience, supporting the development of a more sustainable, competitive and resilient agrifood system.

The visits to FLP Colombia and Florius illustrate how this cooperation takes shape in practice, linking trade, sustainability and development in a concrete and results-oriented way.

More information

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