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A downturn in the first half of the year, following four years of sustained growth
If we analyze the six-month series over the past five years, pork imports had followed a virtually uninterrupted growth cycle: they fell by 8.1% in 2023, but then accelerated sharply, increasing by 19.4% in 2024 and 24.5% in 2025, reaching a series-high of 94,362 tonnes (t). However, the first half of 2026 broke this trend: total imports reached 77,401 t, valued at USD 233.5 million (MUSD), representing a decline of 18.0% in volume and 13.7% in value compared with the same period in 2025 (compound annual growth rate of 2.9% in volume between 2022 and 2026).
In terms of the implied price, the six-month average stood at USD 3.02/kg, 5.0% higher than in 2025 (USD 2.87/kg). In Colombian pesos, however, the average implied price was COP 11,048.6/kg, 8.4% lower than in 2025 (COP 12,061.7/kg). This divergence was partly explained by exchange-rate movements during the period analyzed.
Volume of Colombian imports of pork products and by-products in the first half of the last five years. Prepared by 333 Latin America with data from DANE.
June results
In June, imports reached 14,078 tons, representing USD 43.7 million, up 14.2% in volume and 19.0% in value compared to June 2025, and down 13.6% from May, which was one of the highest months of the semester.
Regarding countries of origin, the United States accounted for 74.2% of imports with 10,444 tons, an 18.7% increase compared to June 2025. Canada was the source with the highest growth among the main suppliers, with a 28.8% year-on-year increase to 2,141 tons (15.2% market share), while Chile, the third most important source with 9.5% of the total (1,344 tons), was the only one among the top three to decline, with a 5.0% drop. Together, these three countries accounted for 98.9% of the month's imports.
By item, 91.8% of the June volume corresponded to the sum of four categories: frozen boneless pork (44.4%, +18.7% year-on-year), frozen chops and ribs (35.1%, +10.5%), other frozen meats (8.9%, +42.4%) and frozen bone-in legs and shoulders (3.4%, +24.5%).
Conclusion
The first half of 2026 marks a pause in the expansion of Colombian pork imports after two years of double-digit growth, although the rebound in June suggests that the half-year decline does not necessarily foreshadow a sustained downward trend for the remainder of the year. We will continue to monitor whether the second half of the year sees increases again or if 2026 ends as an adjustment following the peak in 2025.
333 Latin America with data from the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE)/ Colombia.
https://www.dane.gov.co/
