Beyond the Bean – Colombia’s Cocoa Ambitions

Colombia’s cocoa industry is gaining visibility in international markets. With approximately 80% of the country’s cocoa output classified as fine flavour, it is well positioned to expand premium exports. Converting this advantage into lasting growth will require higher productivity, greater domestic processing, and solid environmental credentials.

Colombia’s cocoa and cocoa-derived product exports reached a record USD 413.1mn in 2025, up 56% from USD 265.1mn in 2024, according to DANE figures analysed by the country’s National Association of Foreign Trade, Analdex. Export volumes increased by 16.4%, from 42,114 tonnes to 49,044 tonnes. Higher international prices contributed to the increase in export value, alongside growing volumes.

The United States was the leading destination, accounting for 37.1% of export value, followed by Malaysia, Mexico and Costa Rica. Colombian exports to Malaysia rose from just over USD 10mn in 2024 to approximately USD 40mn in 2025, highlighting opportunities to diversify markets. The export basket includes raw cocoa beans, cocoa butter, and chocolate and other cocoa-containing preparations, offering scope to capture more value through processing and product differentiation.

The OECD’s February 2026 report, Environmental Sustainability Initiatives in the Colombian Cocoa Sector, identifies a further competitive advantage for Colombia. Approximately 80% of the country’s cocoa output is classified as fine-flavour cocoa, valued for its distinctive sensory characteristics. This puts the country in a favourable position to target premium segments where origin, quality, and traceability can differentiate products from bulk cocoa.

Climate change and commodity prices are also influencing decisions at farm level. Mongabay reported in 2025 that some Colombian coffee farmers were switching to cocoa as warming temperatures made coffee production more challenging in certain areas and exceptionally high cocoa prices increased its appeal.

How cocoa is cultivated will also influence the outcome. Agroforestry systems that combine cocoa with shade trees and other crops can diversify farm production and support biodiversity. Such systems could provide an opportunity to develop more diversified farming models, provided that cocoa is suited to local conditions and that farmers have access to the necessary expertise and markets.

A practical example comes from Caquetá and Putumayo, where a USD 1.7mn zero-deforestation cocoa initiative supported by the Netherlands and the Inter-American Development Bank’s Amazon Bioeconomy Fund seeks to connect forest conservation with commercial opportunities for farmers. Led by Conexión Colombia, the initiative was approved in May 2026 and promotes cocoa production alongside shade trees, fruit crops such as açaí and copoazú, and native timber species. This approach aims to combine agricultural income with biodiversity protection and more diversified rural livelihoods.

The initiative also highlights the importance of connecting environmental objectives with commercial development. By supporting traceability and seeking links with European processors, projects of this kind can help producers demonstrate the origin and sustainability of their cocoa while reaching buyers interested in differentiated products. Such initiatives remain dependent on effective implementation, financing and sustained market demand, but they illustrate how environmental protection can become part of a value proposition rather than simply an additional cost.

Sustainability requirements are becoming increasingly important in international cocoa trade. With the EU Deforestation Regulation due to apply from December 30, 2026, EU buyers are placing greater emphasis on plot-level geolocation, production records and evidence that cocoa is deforestation-free and legally produced. For Colombian exporters, robust traceability can help protect market access and build buyer confidence. However, the cost and administrative burden of compliance can be particularly challenging for smallholders.

The OECD points to the need for better coordination among sustainability initiatives and more accessible systems for collecting and sharing data. Cooperation between government agencies, exporters, producer organisations, development institutions, and international buyers could reduce duplication and help farmers obtain the technical assistance needed to comply. Certification and traceability may also create opportunities to differentiate Colombian cocoa, although they do not automatically guarantee a price premium.

Further opportunities lie in processing and product development. Greater domestic processing would allow Colombian businesses to retain more value-added activities within the country while strengthening their relationships with international customers.

Export growth, climate adaptation, and sustainable rural development are creating new opportunities for Colombia’s cocoa industry. Fine-flavour cocoa, agroforestry and traceable sourcing offer ways to distinguish Colombian products internationally. Yet higher prices and expanding production alone will not guarantee long-term success. Improving yields, financing the transition for farmers, developing processing capacity and making traceability accessible to smallholders will be essential. By linking agricultural competitiveness with forest conservation and reliable market access, Colombia has an opportunity to build a more resilient cocoa industry and capture a larger share of the global value chain.

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