Disclaimer The information in this report is based on interviews and data collected from public sources. No rights can be derived from the information provided in this report. Page 2 Foreword Colombia is a country with great agricultural potential and has been called on several occasions as a future worldwide food supplier. Nevertheless, the horticultural sector in Colombia must improve its way of producing, both in the implementation of technology and certifications and in the training of producers to be able to reach its potential, and to fulfill the growing demand for safe and healthy food. This report, which was commissioned by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency - RVO, is the result of a qualitative research and literature review, validating the results of different interviews conducted throughout the chain of vegetables production and distribution in the country, from the producer to the retail stores. We would like to thank entrepreneurs, producers and entities that gave us their time and allowed us to visit them in their operations. We would like to give special thanks to the Agricultural Department of the Embassy of The Kingdom of the Netherlands in Colombia for encouraging and looking for alternatives for the improvement of the horticultural sector in Colombia. Colombia, March 2020 Maria Isabel Lopez Arno van der Maden Page 3 Index Disclaimer...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................2 Foreword........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................3 Summary......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................5 1. Introduction.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................7 1.1 Background......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................7 1.2 Focus of this study................................................................................................................................................................................................................8 1.3 Structure of this study.....................................................................................................................................................................................................8 2. Colombia 2020..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................9 2.1 Demographics...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................9 2.2 Consumption..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................10 2.2.1 Stratum and income level..................................................................................................................................................................10 2.2.2 Consumption and income level.................................................................................................................................................11 2.3 Production........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................14 2.3.1 Situation agricultural sector in Colombia...................................................................................................................14 2.3.2 Vegetable sector..............................................................................................................................................................................................16 2.3.3 Generalities of the vegetable sector in Colombia........................................................................................18 2.3.4 Types of growers................................................................................................................................................................................................19 2.3.5 Technology in the cultivation of vegetables..........................................................................................................21 2.3.6 Greenhouses in Colombia................................................................................................................................................................23 2.3.7 Training............................................................................................................................................................................................................................27 2.3.8 Food safety and good agricultural practices in the country.......................................................29 2.3.9 Monitoring programs for pesticide residues in fruit and vegetable products.....31 2.3.10 Exports of fresh vegetables.............................................................................................................................................................33 2.4 Distribution channel........................................................................................................................................................................................................35 2.4.1 Distribution chain..............................................................................................................................................................................................35 2.4.2 Wholesale markets.........................................................................................................................................................................................39 2.4.3 Road infrastructure........................................................................................................................................................................................42 2.4.4 Retail.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................43 2.4.5 Food service and horeca a growing sector...........................................................................................................46 3. Colombia 2030...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................49 3.1 Demographics 2030......................................................................................................................................................................................................49 3.2 Consumption trends 2030.....................................................................................................................................................................................51 3.3 Production 2030....................................................................................................................................................................................................................52 3.4 Distribution channel 2030......................................................................................................................................................................................54 3.4.1 Distribution channel................................................................................................................................................................................................................54 3.4.2 Smart logistics - direct supply......................................................................................................................................................55 Appendix 1. Persons interviewed in Colombia........................................................................................................................................56 Bibliographic references...............................................................................................................................................................................................................60 Page 4 Summary Colombia needs to feed its constantly growing and demand, set by the wholesale markets. cities. More than 90% of Colombia’s population Producers without