COLOMBIA

Feedback from the Trade on Their Plans and Interest in the USA Pear Season:

Trade members have expressed their interest in importing USA Pears during the current season. Prices at origin will be a key factor in their purchasing decisions, because freight costs have increased, a factor that needs to be considered. Importers are requesting quotations from their Northwest Pear suppliers.

Expectations for Any Freight or Logistics Challenges:

Importers and retailers do not anticipate any logistical problems that could affect USA Pear import volumes. They plan to manage their purchases in advance to prevent any delays, also considering that freight availability is limited during the Christmas season.

Opportunities in Your Market for Specific Varieties, Sizes, and Grades:

Trade members are primarily interested in Anjou and Packham varieties, but they are also willing to import other varieties such as Red Anjou and Bosc if prices are competitive. In terms of sizes, they prefer small and medium sizes. Regarding quality grades, U.S. No. 1 and Fancy are the preferred options.

Update on the Competition in the Market:

Pears from Chile reported the highest volumes in the market, reaching 90% pear market share in the wholesale sector, 90% in supermarket stores and 95% in traditional channels. Packham reported the highest volumes followed by Forelle variety; sales and quality were reported as good. Volumes are expected to remain at the same level for the next month, because importers will receive more loads. Pears from Argentina reported 6% pear market share at wholesale level, while at retail level, this origin was available just in supermarket stores reaching a 5% pear market share. Packham was the only variety available; sales and quality were reported as good. Volumes are expected to remain at the same level for next month. Domestic pears reported 4% pear market share at wholesale level, with 5% share in both supermarket stores and traditional channels; sales and quality were reported as good; volumes are expected to remain at the same level for the next month.

Political or Economic Issues Impacting Imports, Retail, or Consumer Behavior:

There are no additional political or economic factors expected to impact USA Pears import volumes. However, according to the World Bank, the Colombian economy is projected to grow by 2.5% in 2025 and 2.7% in 2026, driven by domestic consumption while investment gradually recovers. Persistent inflation and ongoing fiscal challenges are prompting interest rate cuts by the Central Bank.

Other Brief Comments:

Colombian retail is on the rise. Physical sales are growing despite fewer products per purchase. The Colombian retail sector is undergoing a period of profound transformation. While digitalization and the rise of e-commerce have set the pace in recent years, the most recent data shows that physical stores not only remain relevant but are experiencing a significant increase in sales. In August 2025, physical retail figures in Colombia reflected a 9.3% sales growth, driven by consumers spending more money on each visit, even though they carry fewer products. This finding reveals a new logic in purchasing behavior: customers prioritize quality, added value, and experience over quantity.