Colombia

Dried pasta and rice are staple products on Colombian tables, offering versatility for various meals and affordability. While they are not the same type of food, both are commonly consumed either on their own or paired with vegetables, meat, or a…

Since the beginning of 2023, packaged food brands are required to incorporate health warning black seals on their packaging, indicating an excess content of saturated fat, sugars, or sodium.

In 2023, among all the staple foods, processed fruit and vegetables experienced the most challenging sales performance. The primary factor behind this sales decline was the remarkable stability, and even occasional price reductions, in fresh fruit…

In 2023, hot cereals, muesli, and granola, as product areas, have recorded the most robust sales performance. Hot cereals, primarily oats, along with muesli and granola, have benefited from their healthier attributes when compared to other breakfast…

Inflation in Colombia reached its peak in 2022 and, although it significantly decelerated in the first half of 2023, records continue to show high inflation rates. Food prices, particularly those of baked goods, were no exception to this trend. The…

Retail sales of sweet spreads are seeing growth boosted in Colombia in 2023 by the expansion of consumption opportunities, with consumers increasingly choosing to use chocolate spreads as ingredients in the preparation of home-made desserts and…

Remote and hybrid working models are shifting consumption habits towards more flexible patterns of eating at more convenient times, with the impact of rising living costs on consumer confidence and household spending levels also supporting these…

Sales of ready meals are declining in retail volume terms in 2023, with people returning to their normal routines and spending more time outside of the home thanks to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. This is seeing a shift back towards…

Global prices of cooking oils have been rising since the COVID-19 pandemic began, with the price hikes intensified thanks to the war in Ukraine and the resultant regional shortage of sunflower oil. Though no such shortage was noted in Colombia during…

The Colombian economy began to recover in the second half of 2021, with growth reaching + 7.5% by the end of the year 2022. This was fuelled by fiscal stimuli registered in 2021, increased oil prices and a boost in food and beverages exports which…

Store cards are expected to continue their downward trajectory in 2023 in both transaction value and the number of cards in circulation. With consumers having more alternatives to choose from pre-paid, including credit or debit cards offering…

In 2023, the number of pre-paid cards in circulation is expected to grow steadily. Closed loop pre-paid cards, particularly transportation cards, will remain the most important. This growth is driven by increased mobility as hybrid work schemes lose…

The use of debit cards continues to grow strongly in Colombia, supported by increased online purchases and cautious consumer behaviour. While credit card issuance remains stagnant, pre-paid cards, particularly closed loop transportation cards, are…

The use of debit cards continues to grow and they remain the most important payment method behind cash. Further robust growth is expected in 2023 both in the number of cards in circulation and value of transactions. The performance of debit cards has…

In 2023, the issuance of credit cards is expected to remain almost flat, with no significant increase. Growth rates for the number and value of transactions are also expected to decelerate compared to the previous year. The value of transactions,…

The Colombian economy felt the effects of a slowdown in the first semester of 2023 due to a restrictive monetary policy, compounded by a significant increase in interest rates at the end of 2022. This caused credit card interest rates to rise above…

In the early months of 2023, a challenging macroeconomic climate, coupled with low consumer confidence, high interest rates to curb demand and soaring inflation, as well as political uncertainty, resulted in a marked deceleration in the issuance of…

The sustainability trend in womenswear in Colombia reflects a growing awareness of environmental and social responsibility among both consumers and fashion brands. Colombian women are increasingly seeking clothing options that are eco-friendly,…

Brand loyalty remains a prominent aspect in the Colombian sportswear industry, with consumers often expressing strong preferences for established global brands, such as Nike and adidas due to their reputation for quality and performance. However,…

As society has now reopened in the wake of the pandemic and men have returned to their places of work and can once again enjoy social gatherings, items, such as outerwear, have become more necessary than underwear and nightwear. With limited budgets,…