Coffee bag from Colombia

5 Reasons to Invest in the Colombian Coffee Business

Investing in Colombian Coffee

Colombia has been attracting a large amount of foreign direct investment and is one of the most sustainably growing economies of Latin America.

Colombian coffee is an important commodity which has helped the country reach the economically developed and entrepreneurial stage it’s at today. A combination of European demand, high quality coffee beans, and the new post-FARC era gives way to great investment opportunities in the Colombian coffee business.

1. High Quality Colombian Coffee Exports Targeting EU and US Markets

Colombia is the biggest producer of Arabica, one of the highest quality beans available. Caldas, Risaralda and Quindio are the three Colombian regions which form the coffee triangle; a UNESCO heritage site and the place of production of some of the smoothest coffee in the world.The high potential and quality of coffee production is also due to the combination of unique conditions (between 8°C and  24°C with exceptionally rich soils).

The Colombian Coffee Federation (FNC) has been helping the local farmers thrive towards excellence, using organic pesticides to create products which appeal to European and US markets.

The growing demand for coffee exports is giving place to exciting investment opportunities.

2. EU Colombia FTA Means More Coffee Imports

EU-Colombia FTA High Quality Coffee Exports

Effect of European union Colombia Free Trade Agreements:

The quality of Colombian coffee is directly reflected in its international reputation.

The European Union has the greatest average consumption per capita and imports 45% of the world’s coffee production, thus making it the largest worldwide market.

Due to the recent increases in trade between the EU and Colombia, (result of their free trade agreements) we will be seeing much more Colombian coffee on European shelves. With an increase of 9.2% in Coffee imports between 2015 and 2016 European demand is on the rise, contributing to the potential of the Colombian Coffee markets.

3. Colombian Government Policies Stimulate Investment

The Colombian government has been good at encouraging the diversification of its markets which is largely responsible for the country’s stability. The current President, Juan Manuel Santos spent his early days as a representative of the FNC and International Coffee Organisation. This combined with coffee growing adding up to 25% of rural employment which amounts to 800,000 direct jobs and 1.6 million indirect jobs (greatest source of rural employment). Investors can count on the support of government policies to stimulate the markets.

A large majority of Colombian businessman and politicians prefer the international reputation of Coffee to Coca growers, thus in many cases encouraging Foreign DIrect Investment and reducing barriers to entry.

4.Post-FARC Peace Treaties Effect on Colombian Agricultural Policies

FARC peace treate Coffee
FARC peace treaties open cheap land to supply

The FARC peace treaties have been the source of great polemic in Colombia, however one of the only things that Colombians agree on is that the country needs to move on.

Part of the treaty involves fostering sustainable rural development involving transitions from the rising coca production to other viable crops such as coffee or cocoa.

A lot of land previously unaccessible due to FARC fighting is opening up to sale at record low prices, this stimulating an increase in production. The new surge in supply has therefore decreased prices creating many attractive investment opportunities.

5. Stable and Fruitful Investment

Agricultural land is recently becoming a priority for real estate investors. They are high yield generating investments which is the reason for their recent popularity in people’s portfolios.

Not only does agricultural land generate yield but its value appreciates over time. With an increase in demand for food accompanied by a decrease of land availability, the predicted long term prospects of an increase it it’s value are positive, especially when buying exceptionally cheaply.

Currently many farmers can’t afford modern equipment and under utilise their land, this offers a great potential to optimise existing farms through setting up cooperatives which would offer investment and guidance.  

The coffee industry has always played a big role in Colombian growth and has recently become very lucrative. However before investing money, time and energy it is recommended to demand council from professionals working in Colombia.

Biz Latin Hub can assist you doing business in Colombia

At Biz Latin Hub, we provide integrated market entry and back-office services throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, with offices in 17 major cities in the region, including Colombia’s capital Bogota and popular tourist and investment destination Cartagena.

Our portfolio includes accounting & taxation, register formation, due diligence, hiring & PEO, and corporate legal services. Our unrivaled regional presence means we are ideally placed to support multi-jurisdiction market entries and cross-border operations.

Contact us today to find out more about how we can assist you.

If you found this article on Colombia agricultural exports of interest, you may want to check out the rest of our coverage of this South American country. Or read about our team and expert authors.

The information provided here within should not be construed as formal guidance or advice. Please consult a professional for your specific situation. Information provided is for informative purposes only and may not capture all pertinent laws, standards, and best practices. The regulatory landscape is continually evolving; information mentioned may be outdated and/or could undergo changes. The interpretations presented are not official. Some sections are based on the interpretations or views of relevant authorities, but we cannot ensure that these perspectives will be supported in all professional settings.
Legal Team Colombia

Legal Team Colombia

Legal Team Colombia is the Biz Latin Hub leading experts on doing business in Colombia The Team writes on the news, doing business, law, and changing regulations. The team are experts in corporate law, Administrative law, Employment law, Immigration law and legal advisory services. Read more about them here. You can contact Legal Team Colombia via our "contact us page".

Receive the latest news and advice about expanding your business globally
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest business news and advice about entity formation, legal entity compliance, accounting, back office and fiscal requirements. Receive the latest news and advice about expanding your business globally.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.