In a significant boost to the Colombian economy, exports to Mexico for the first half of 2023 recorded an impressive figure of USD 999.02 million. This marks a 26.13% surge in comparison to the same period in 2022 when the trade volume stood at USD 792.08 million.
Delving deeper into the specifics, the non-mining and energy goods sector paved the way with a dominant 62.48% contribution, amounting to USD 624.22 million. Conversely, the mining and energy sector constituted the remaining 37.52%. A closer inspection of the exports, categorized by tariff chapters, highlighted mineral fuels, mineral oils, and mineral waxes among others, representing 37.52% of Colombia’s sales to Mexico. The non-mining and energy sector saw automobiles, tractors, their parts and accessories leading the charge with 10.62%, followed by plastic goods at 7.24%, animal or vegetable fats and oils at 6.57%, and various chemical industry products at 5.31%.
As for the principal exported items, the list is diverse. From thermal coal to passenger vehicles with alternative piston engines of specific capacities, raw palm oil, to kerosene-type carbureactors and hull semi-coke agglomerates, the trade list was varied and extensive. Notably, there were new entrants in the export basket for this period. Products such as knitted gloves coated with plastic or rubber, motorcycles with specific engine capacities, and vertical filling machines, among others, marked their debut.
The business landscape underpinning these exports was dominated by key players like Drummond LTD, which contributed a whopping USD 304.12 million. Following closely were Renault Sociedad de Fabricación de Automotores S.A.S. with USD 71.65 million, Busscar de Colombia S.A.S. at USD 32.15 million, Federación Nacional de Cafeteros with USD 25.51 million, and Terpel Exportaciones C.I S.A.S. registering USD 27.01 million. Geographically, the Cesar department was at the forefront of these exports, accounting for 30.49% or USD 304.63 million, trailed by regions like Antioquia, Bogotá, Bolívar, and Atlántico. Transport-wise, a significant majority of goods, 90.74%, took the maritime route, while air transport and fixed installation transport carried 5.89% and 3.37% respectively.
Source: Sistema de Inteligencia Comercial de Legiscomex
