Orange Exports from Colombia to the United States: The Boost from Quindío

July 2020 marked a historic moment for the Colombian countryside: for the first time, more than 600 tons of oranges grown in Quindío crossed borders to reach the demanding U.S. market. This export of oranges from Colombia to the United States, backed by certification from the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA), demonstrates that the country not only has fertile land but also the knowledge, infrastructure, and commitment to play in the big leagues of agro-exports.

Between March and June of that year, the ICA inspected every shipment sent from the Celifrut packing facility, located in Armenia, Quindío. The fruit came from two registered farms that complied with all the sanitary requirements of the United States. Every box of oranges shipped was the result of meticulous work, where quality stood out.

None of this would have been possible without the rigorous plan established between ICA and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA-APHIS). The scheme included processes such as washing, brushing, and waxing the fruit, technical monitoring throughout the entire production cycle, and official certification both in the field and at the plant. Thanks to this coordinated effort, Colombian oranges not only crossed borders but did so with the certainty of meeting the highest international standards.

Quindío played a leading role in this achievement. Along with Antioquia, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, and Huila, it is one of the main citrus-producing regions of the country, with the advantage of being free from Huanglongbing (HLB), one of the most destructive citrus diseases worldwide. This status has been key to opening markets and ensuring healthy, sustainable production. Beyond its economic value, the export of oranges from Colombia to the United States strengthens the rural fabric, generating jobs, boosting the local economy, and proving that Colombian agriculture has the potential to grow with an international vision.

According to figures from ICA and the Ministry of Agriculture, in 2023 alone Colombia exported nearly 1,200 tons of sweet citrus to destinations such as the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. More than just numbers, these results reflect the consolidation of a country that is positioning itself as a reliable supplier of fresh fruit worldwide.

This milestone was not a point of arrival but a starting point. The challenges ahead are as ambitious as they are necessary: expanding certification to more farms and citrus growers, increasing export volumes without losing quality or sustainability, and opening new markets such as Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean to diversify destinations and strengthen the sector’s competitiveness.

The export of oranges from Quindío to the United States reflects not only the technical capacity of producers but also the result of joint efforts between institutions and the private sector. With every container that departs, Celifrut and Colombia demonstrate that the countryside has a future, knows how to reinvent itself, and is ready to harvest opportunities beyond its borders.

Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario. (2020, July 27). Las naranjas del Quindío siguen deleitando a los norteamericanos. https://www.ica.gov.co/noticias/ica-naranjas-quindio-exportacion-eeuu