Antioquia’s Exports Rise 14.7% in 2017, Colombia Up 16%: DANE
The latest report from Colombia’s economic statistics agency (DANE) shows that Antioquia’s exports rose 14.7% year-on-year in the first two months of 2017 — and Antioquia likewise continues to surpass all Colombian departments in total share of exports, at 19.4%.
The single biggest reason for the big boost in Antioquia exports was the rise in gold exports, accounting for 20.3% of the rise in the total dollar value of exports from the department.
Meanwhile, Colombia’s total exports (excluding petroleum) rose 16.1% in the first two months of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016, to US$5.3 billion, DANE found (see chart, above).
Refined petroleum products exports (up 40.5%) and coal/coke exports (up 49%) were two of the shining stars in Colombian exports so far this year, according to DANE.
However, manufactured goods exports slipped 10% in February 2017 versus February 2016, mainly because of a drop in sales of medicinal and pharmaceutical products, as well as a sharp decline in nickel exports (down 97%) and other non-metallic minerals (down 33%).
The United States continues as the main destination of Colombian exports with a 29.4% share of Colombia’s total exported FOB value, followed by Panama, Turkey, Brazil, Ecuador, the Netherlands and China, according to DANE.