This has been a short week in Colombia. Traditionally, all harvest-related activities reduce their operations to much less than half capacity. Everything that can be done must be completed before Holy Wednesday, as activity is minimal from then until Easter Monday.

In international markets, the United States continues to lead in shipments with 60%, and Colombia maintains a market share of approximately 4%. Meanwhile, in Europe, arrivals continue to decline, and Colombia's market share in that region hovers around 3%.

Meanwhile, in the fields, activity is slowing, but the weather is beginning to improve significantly, with a reduction in rainfall in the areas currently being harvested. The fruit continues to be smaller, but with good flavor. Companies' commercial offers have remained stable, and for the past couple of weeks, representatives from the top five companies have been offering consignment prices. Among those maintaining fixed prices, the average price per kilo, according to size distribution, is COP 4,000. For baby sizes, which represent 50% of the distribution, the average is COP 1,500. Medium sizes, with a 40% share, average COP 4,500, and large sizes, with 10%, reach COP 7,500.

Easter week historically marks certain milestones in different markets. We'll have to see what the market brings once Holy Week in Colombia is over. For now, it's a good time to pause, observe, and calmly prepare for what's to come. The decisions we make at this point can make the difference between a successful season and an uphill battle, especially compared to a Peruvian campaign that's already making giant strides.

Jorge Molina Duque, Operations Manager, Quality Studio CO, jorge.molina@qualitystudio.cl , Colombia