As reported by Colombia One [3], the Colombian Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism announced on Nov. 8 the signing of a new trade agreement between Colombia and China during the China International Import Expo in Shanghai. Under the agreement, Colombia will export up to 15,000 metric tons of bananas [4], 10,000 metric tons of cocoa and 80,000 metric tons of coffee to China annually. This move follows Colombia’s recent accession to China’s Belt and Road Initiative and aims to deepen bilateral cooperation in trade and infrastructure.

The agreement also includes the launch of a direct maritime shipping route by COSCO Shipping, China’s largest shipping company, to shorten logistics times and improve transport efficiency, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of Colombia’s exports.

In June, China’s General Administration of Customs issued a new phytosanitary protocol [5] refining quarantine requirements and paving the way for Colombian bananas to enter the Chinese market. Colombia is the world’s fifth-largest exporter of bananas, but unstable supplies of high-quality fruit, high maritime transport costs and intense market competition have so far hindered large-scale exports to China.

César Pachón, president of Colombia’s Rural Development Agency, cautioned that implementation of the agreement depends on meeting China’s import requirements. Colombian producers must comply with China’s standards on quality, hygiene and traceability, which will require upgrades to infrastructure, improvements in certification procedures and stronger coordination across the supply chain. Colombia also faces strong competition from other banana-exporting countries in the region, making investments in ports and transport systems essential. Developing products with clear origin labeling and reliable traceability will help Colombia stand out and build a stable position in the Chinese market.

Image: Unsplash

This article was based on a Chinese article. Read the original article [6].