Exports of the Colombian livestock sector added US $ 216.2 million during the first semester of 2025, according to figures from the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE) analyzed by the Office of Planning and Economic Studies of the Colombian Federation of Livestocks (Fedegán). The balance includes international sales of meat, viscera, live animals and dairy products.
In the case of meat, Between January and June, 17,318 tons were dispatched to the international market, which represented income of US $ 81.8 million.
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“Twenty -two countries were part of the group of main destinations of Colombian flesh”, Detailed the analysis. China led the list with 8,254 tons equivalent to US $ 38.2 million, followed by Algeria with 2,746 tons for US $ 14.8 million and Russia with 3,378 tons that added US $ 14 million.
Exports of viscera totaled 2,943 tons and US $ 7.6 million. “Ten countries were the main buyers of this product,” said Fedegán. Vietnam acquired 537 tons for US $ 3.4 million, Hong Kong 500 tons for US $ 1.9 million and Russia 846 tons for US $ 1.2 million.
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China, Algeria and Russia concentrated 82 % of external sales of bovine meat.
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The living animal trade was the one with the greatest weight in the semester, with 134,892 heads of cattle sent abroad, which generated US $ 101.2 million. “Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Jordan concentrated the shipments of standing cattle”Said the Federation.
Egypt bought 47,372 cattle for US $ 35.6 millionIraq 40,933 heads for US $ 31.7 million, Saudi Arabia 43,541 animals for US $ 31.5 million and Jordan 3,046 cattle for US $ 2.3 million.
Dairy products were also part of the export basket. In the first six months of 2025, 7,162 tons were sent that generated US $ 25.6 million. The main markets were Venezuela, the United States, Chile and Cuba. “The exported dairy corresponded mainly to whole milk powder, fresh cheese and skim powder milk,” explained the report.
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The exported dairy add 7,162 tons for US $ 25.6 million, with Venezuela and the US as main destinations.
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Whole powdered milk reached 3,655 tons with a value of US $ 15.8 million, Fresh cheese 362 tons for US $ 3.1 million and skimmed milk 445 tons for US $ 1.6 million.
According to Fedegán, the results of the first semester confirm the growing participation of livestock in foreign trade. “The Colombian bovine sector continues to diversify its destinations and consolidate markets both in Asia and the Middle East and America”, Said the entity.
The Federation stressed that the income generated by exports allow to boost the production chain and constitute a relevant indicator of the competitiveness of the sector. “Live animals trade maintains a leading role, while dairy earns space in regional and extra -regional markets“He added.
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Diana K. Rodríguez T.
Portfolio journalist
