báo cà phê—At the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai — one of the world’s largest trade events — Chinese companies have shown a growing interest in Colombian agricultural products, particularly coffee, bananas, and cocoa.
The discussions held during the event could mark the beginning of a new trade chapter between China and Colombia. According to César Pachón, president of Colombia’s Rural Development Agency (ADR), China is expected to begin importing 80,000 tons of coffee, 15,000 tons of bananas, and 10,000 tons of cocoa annually starting in 2026. These export volumes are expected to grow under the cooperation framework established through Colombia’s participation in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
“We just held an important coffee cupping session with one of China’s largest coffee buyers — a company that operates not only across China but globally,” said Pachón. “They currently import around 80,000 tons of coffee per year, and we are now discussing how much of that can come from Colombia.”
Pachón emphasized Colombia’s position as the world’s leading producer of premium Arabica coffee and urged Chinese importers to recognize its quality.
“They currently source coffee from more than seven countries,” he added. “But if they want the best coffee in the world, it has to come from Colombia.”
Beyond coffee, negotiations are also progressing for cocoa and banana exports. A Chinese company has already expressed interest in purchasing 200 containers of bananas, while demand for Colombian cocoa could reach 10,000 tons per year.
“We are now working out the details — pricing, quantities, delivery times, and logistics,” Pachón explained.
For Colombian farmers, this agreement represents a major breakthrough. Producers from Tumaco and Chocó, two regions with strong agricultural traditions, view this as a chance to enter the global market on an unprecedented scale.
“This is an opportunity to showcase our community-based production processes and promote Colombian products as global brands,” said Hilda Hurtado, a cocoa producer.
The exports will be carried out through Cosco Shipping, China’s largest shipping company, following an agreement with the Colombian government to establish a direct maritime route between the two nations.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro welcomed the development, stating that reducing the trade deficit with China requires “exporting more and attracting greater annual foreign investment.”
As China’s appetite for high-quality coffee continues to rise, Colombia’s entry into this massive market could strengthen its role as one of the world’s top coffee exporters — while also deepening agricultural cooperation between Latin America and Asia.
