Colombia

The sustainability trend in womenswear in Colombia reflects a growing awareness of environmental and social responsibility among both consumers and fashion brands. Colombian women are increasingly seeking clothing options that are eco-friendly,…

In the early months of 2023, a challenging macroeconomic climate, coupled with low consumer confidence, high interest rates to curb demand and soaring inflation, as well as political uncertainty, resulted in a marked deceleration in the issuance of…

The Colombian economy felt the effects of a slowdown in the first semester of 2023 due to a restrictive monetary policy, compounded by a significant increase in interest rates at the end of 2022. This caused credit card interest rates to rise above…

In 2023, the issuance of credit cards is expected to remain almost flat, with no significant increase. Growth rates for the number and value of transactions are also expected to decelerate compared to the previous year. The value of transactions,…

The use of debit cards continues to grow and they remain the most important payment method behind cash. Further robust growth is expected in 2023 both in the number of cards in circulation and value of transactions. The performance of debit cards has…

The use of debit cards continues to grow strongly in Colombia, supported by increased online purchases and cautious consumer behaviour. While credit card issuance remains stagnant, pre-paid cards, particularly closed loop transportation cards, are…

In 2023, the number of pre-paid cards in circulation is expected to grow steadily. Closed loop pre-paid cards, particularly transportation cards, will remain the most important. This growth is driven by increased mobility as hybrid work schemes lose…

Store cards are expected to continue their downward trajectory in 2023 in both transaction value and the number of cards in circulation. With consumers having more alternatives to choose from pre-paid, including credit or debit cards offering…

The Colombian economy began to recover in the second half of 2021, with growth reaching + 7.5% by the end of the year 2022. This was fuelled by fiscal stimuli registered in 2021, increased oil prices and a boost in food and beverages exports which…

Global prices of cooking oils have been rising since the COVID-19 pandemic began, with the price hikes intensified thanks to the war in Ukraine and the resultant regional shortage of sunflower oil. Though no such shortage was noted in Colombia during…

Sales of ready meals are declining in retail volume terms in 2023, with people returning to their normal routines and spending more time outside of the home thanks to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. This is seeing a shift back towards…

Remote and hybrid working models are shifting consumption habits towards more flexible patterns of eating at more convenient times, with the impact of rising living costs on consumer confidence and household spending levels also supporting these…

Retail sales of sweet spreads are seeing growth boosted in Colombia in 2023 by the expansion of consumption opportunities, with consumers increasingly choosing to use chocolate spreads as ingredients in the preparation of home-made desserts and…

Inflation in Colombia reached its peak in 2022 and, although it significantly decelerated in the first half of 2023, records continue to show high inflation rates. Food prices, particularly those of baked goods, were no exception to this trend. The…

In 2023, hot cereals, muesli, and granola, as product areas, have recorded the most robust sales performance. Hot cereals, primarily oats, along with muesli and granola, have benefited from their healthier attributes when compared to other breakfast…

In 2023, among all the staple foods, processed fruit and vegetables experienced the most challenging sales performance. The primary factor behind this sales decline was the remarkable stability, and even occasional price reductions, in fresh fruit…

Since the beginning of 2023, packaged food brands are required to incorporate health warning black seals on their packaging, indicating an excess content of saturated fat, sugars, or sodium.

Dried pasta and rice are staple products on Colombian tables, offering versatility for various meals and affordability. While they are not the same type of food, both are commonly consumed either on their own or paired with vegetables, meat, or a…

Staple foods in Colombia in 2023 is significantly influenced by food price-related issues, inflation, and the country's GDP evolution. The historically high inflation experienced in 2022 continued to be a major concern for all stakeholders in staple…

One of the significant impacts of the pandemic was the shift towards the consumption of high-quality coffee within domestic settings. This trend has endured beyond the 2020 lockdowns, with fresh ground coffee showcasing dynamic retail volume growth…

While volume sales growth in overall hot drinks remains quite low in 2023, there have been some notable shifts between the off-trade and on-trade. Overall volume sales in foodservice are strong in 2023, supported by the coffee culture, with affluent…

The negative performance of hot drinks in 2023 can be attributed to two primary factors. Firstly, rising prices are impacting demand not only for hot drinks themselves but also for associated beverages like milk, which continues to experience…

Following a pandemic-induced surge, the demand for a more diverse range of teas and offerings is persisting within on-trade channels. In contrast to coffee, tea faced lesser impacts from inflation and the escalating costs of raw materials in 2023.…

The exceptionally warm weather in 2023, coupled with the El Nino phenomenon intensifying and tap water quality issues, led to a surge in bottled water consumption. This category, one of the few within soft drinks to experience notable growth in both…

Soft drinks producers have faced mounting challenges due to rising input costs and supply chain disruptions, including soaring energy prices, bottlenecks in the supply chain, and escalating prices of primary packaging materials. Despite experiencing…

Powder concentrates continue to experience a decline in volume as consumers' increased mobility away from home has reduced at-home consumption occasions. The growing demand for fresh fruit for natural juices is supported by data from the National…

The demand for energy drinks experienced marginal growth in 2023, building on the progress made in 2020 and driven by increasing consumption occasions. Volume and value sales are growing in both off-trade and on-trade channels, albeit at a slower…

The demand for juice in off-trade volume terms has been slowing down in 2023 as the Colombian tradition of home-made natural fruit juice remains strong, especially in light of economic constraints. Juice continues to be associated with perceptions of…

RTD coffee continues to experience robust growth in off-trade volume sales in 2023, building on the success of 2022, when sales were boosted by hot summer weather and effective online marketing campaigns, despite remaining a niche category. The…

Despite the challenging operating environment that has impacted soft drinks more generally in 2023, RTD tea continues to perform positively. Robust value growth has emerged amidst high inflation rates and rising production costs (such as for…

The Colombian economy began its recovery in the latter half of 2021. This growth was fuelled by fiscal stimulus measures implemented in 2021, rising oil prices, and a surge in food and beverage exports, which recorded a significant increase in 2022.…

Sports drinks are one of the soft drinks categories consumed on-the-go, typically after workouts at the gym, public fitness events like marathons or fun runs, or with organised sports. Aligning with the growing trend of healthcare and wellness, the…

Air treatment products in Colombia witnesses robust double-digit growth, primarily attributed to the soaring demand for cooling fans. This surge is driven by hotter weather conditions in 2023 due to the El Niño phenomenon, prompting consumers to seek…

Consumer appliances in Colombia encountered moderate growth in 2023, marking the lowest volume growth in the past six years. Major appliances suffered a decline in volume sales, impacted by multiple factors, including reduced purchasing power among…

Dishwashers in Colombia witnessed a slight decrease in sales volume compared to the previous year, primarily due to a contraction in the country's construction sector, directly impacting the category. The decline is chiefly attributed to a decrease…

Within the realm of food preparation appliances, blenders have showcased consistent growth in both sales volume and value throughout 2023, defying expectations following the relaxation of pandemic restrictions. Their steadfast performance can be…

The economic landscape in the country has resulted in a noticeable decline in the sales volume of home laundry appliances. Throughout 2023, there has been a significant decrease in the sales of automatic dryers and washing machines. Several factors…

Large cooking appliances faced a notable decline in sales volume, strongly influenced by the contraction within the real estate sector. This downturn in 2023 can be primarily attributed to the reduced construction of new homes, a trend that…

Once again, the sales volume within the microwave category has experienced a decline compared to the preceding year. A prolonged struggle with innovation challenges has led these products to cede market share to alternatives deemed more functional.…

Despite the challenging economic climate in Colombia, personal care appliances has exhibited continued albeit moderated growth in 2023. Notably, the growth, albeit marginal, is primarily propelled by the rising popularity of body shavers among men.…

The sales volume of refrigeration appliances has witnessed a considerable decline, primarily influenced by the prevailing economic conditions that have adversely impacted consumer purchasing power. A significant factor contributing to this downturn…

Following a surge during the pandemic, small cooking appliances has evidenced a moderate volume decrease in 2023, chiefly influenced by a significant decline in light fryers. While this downturn suggests a stabilisation post the pandemic-induced…

Vacuum cleaners in Colombia witnessed a substantial decline in sales volume compared to the preceding year, primarily attributed to the country's economic downturn. Reduced consumer incomes prompted prioritisation of essential goods over…

Colombia, historically linked with drug trafficking, has undergone a noteworthy transformation by actively cultivating a well-regulated cannabis industry. The legalisation of medical cannabis, the establishment of a legal framework for licensed…

There was a clear shift in consumer preferences in Columbia in 2022, of which the main one was emphasising a delicate balance between affordability and quantity. This trend, driven by environmental consciousness and economic concerns amid rising…

In spite of continuing rising prices in 2023, cafés/bars registered an increase in constant value sales and there was also further opening of new outlets. However, profit margins were under strain, as costs also continued to rise. These rising costs,…

A virtual restaurant in an emerging concept. Also known as a ghost kitchen, cloud kitchen or dark kitchen, it is a foodservice business that serves customers exclusively by delivery or pick-up, with technology driving a lot of the operations. Some of…

In spite of continuing rising prices in 2023, consumer foodservice registered an increase in constant value sales and there was also further opening of new outlets. However, profit margins were under strain, as costs also continued to rise and…

Breakfast has emerged as a new consumption opportunity in the foodservice industry. Traditionally considered a quick and basic meal, the perception of breakfast has evolved, and restaurants are capitalising on this. Restaurants are taking creative…

In spite of continuing rising prices in 2023, limited services restaurant registered an increase in constant value sales and there was also further opening of new outlets. However, profit margins were under strain, as costs also continued to rise.…