The White House eliminated the 10% tariff that had been applied to Hass avocados and other Colombian agricultural products since April. The measure reduces costs, restores stability to bilateral trade, and strengthens Colombia's position in its second most important market.

The elimination of the 10% tariff on Colombian Hass avocados responds to both international pressure and the United States' domestic need to contain the cost of living. With the executive order signed by Donald Trump, products such as coffee, flowers, Tahiti limes, and bananas regain the zero tariff stipulated in the Free Trade Agreement. For Colombia, whose Hass avocados already accounted for almost a quarter of their export value in that market, the change restores predictability and allows for price adjustments, recovered profit margins, and improved competition against Mexico, Peru, and other suppliers.

The timing couldn't be better: in 2024, Colombian avocado exports reached US$309.4 million FOB, a 54.3% increase over the previous year. Shipments exceeded 138,000 tons, with the Netherlands solidifying its position as the main destination, followed by the United States with 23.4% of the total. Hass avocados became the country's second most exported fruit after bananas, boosting development in regions like Antioquia, Risaralda, and Valle del Cauca, where avocados have become a driver of employment, investment, and productive diversification.

With the White House's reversal, shipments planned for the 2025–2026 season will once again enter the US duty-free, strengthening the presence of Colombian Hass avocados in one of the world's most competitive markets. The measure, however, offers a clear lesson for the sector: relying solely on trade agreements is not enough. The business requires constant political monitoring and the ability to react to unexpected regulatory changes. With the return to zero tariffs, Colombia consolidates its position as a strategic avocado supplier to the United States, driving a growth trajectory that could redefine its role in the North American market.

Source: diariofruticola.cl