Top Colombian Exports & Imports

Nickel and copper are fastest-growing Colombian exports to the U.S. while military materials and equipment lead American imports into Colombia.

With a population of 45 million, Colombia exported US$9.3 billion worth of merchandise to the United States in 2006, up 4.7% from 2005 and up 65.3% in 4 years.

Colombian imports from the U.S. rose 22.8% to $6.7 billion in 2006, up 87.3% since 2002.

In terms of the merchandise flow between the two countries, America’s trade deficit with the South American country was $2.6 billion in 2006, up 26.5% from 2002. The U.S. trade deficit with Colombia decreased 24.5% in 2006 – a significant improvement from the 23.1% deficit increase in 2005 from the year earlier.

Colombian Exports to U.S.

Of the $9.3 billion in American imports from Colombia in 2006, the following product categories had the highest values.

1. Crude oil …US$3.5 billion (37.3% of Colombia to U.S. exports, up 5.5% from 2005)
2. Coal … $1.2 billion (13%, up 24.8%)
3. Green coffee … $594.6 million (6.4%, down 0.6%)
4. Nursery stock e.g. cut flowers, Xmas trees … $455.4 million (4.9%, up 7.2%)
5. Cotton apparel & household goods … $321.4 million (3.5%, down 12%)
6. Gold … $306.6 million (3.3%, down 4.8%)
7. Fuel oil … $257.6 million (2.8%, down 51.3%)
8. Fruits & preparations including frozen juices … $210.6 million (2.3%, up 0.2%)
9. Other petroleum products … $198.7 million (2.1%, down 1.9%)
10. Other textile apparel & household goods … $150.1 million (1.6%, up 7.8%)

Fastest-Growing Colombian Exports to U.S.

Below are American imports from Colombia in 2006 with the highest percentage sales increases from 2005.

1. Nickel … US$1.4 million (up from $0 in 2005)
2. Copper … $1.5 million (up 966% from 2005)
3. Measuring, testing & control instruments … $4.4 million (up 145%)
4. Woodworking, glassworking, plastic & rubber … $8.6 million (up 144%)
5. Other precious metals … $21.1 million (up 142%)

Colombian Imports from U.S.

Of the $6.7 billion in American exports to Colombia in 2006, the following product categories had the highest values.

1. Organic chemicals … US$765 million (11.4% of Colombia from U.S. imports, up 13% from 2005)
2. Corn … $384 million (5.7%, up 59.3%)
3. Computer accessories … $384 million (5.7%, up 31.8%)
4. Plastic materials … $325 million (4.8%, up 32.2%)
5. Materials handling equipment … $228.6 million (3.4%, up 33.7%)
6. Drilling & oilfield equipment … $205.7 million (3.1%, up 34.4%)
7. Telecommunications equipment … $196.6 million (2.9%, up 22.2%)
8. Computers … $178 million (2.7%, up 26.6%)
9. Other chemicals … $161.6 million (2.4%, up 29.1%)
10. Excavating machinery … $143.4 million (2.1%, up 47.7%)

Fastest-growing Colombian Imports from U.S.

Below are American exports to Colombia in 2006 with the highest percentage sales increases from 2005.

1. Military trucks, armored vehicles… US$2.1 million (up 808% from 2005)
2. Military apparel & footwear … $7.1 million (up 493%)
3. Wine & related products … $3.3 million (up 241%)
4. Engines & turbines for military equipment … $11.5 million (up 222%)
5. Engines for civilian aircraft … $36.9 million (up 199%)

Sources for this Article

This article presents independent calculations and insights based on data drawn from the CIA World Factbook and the U.S. Census Bureau – Foreign Trade Statistics.

Sunset San Andres Colombia

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