Colombian Aromatic Plant Industry Sees 16% Growth, Exporting $49.2 Million in 2022

The aromatic and medicinal plant market in Colombia, one of the most diverse yet underexploited sectors in local agriculture, has seen substantial growth. It not only enjoys high demand in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and European nations, but also witnessed a 16% surge in exports in 2022, totaling nearly $50 million.

Data from the Humboldt Institute and Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, via their “Useful Plants and Fungi of Colombia” project, indicates that there are 5,108 species with medicinal uses in Colombia. This constitutes 15% of the global figure for such purposes. Of these, 3,679 are native, with 275 being endemic. Procolombia data suggests there are 6,000 aromatic and medicinal herb species, a figure in line with the Humboldt Institute’s count, which only recorded the latter group.

Aromatic herbs fall under the subsector of other agricultural products. From January to May 2023, recent data from Procolombia showed exports exceeding $22.4 million, a 2% increase from the same period in 2022. Carmen Caballero, ProColombia’s president, emphasized the steady growth of aromatic herb exports in recent months, with the primary buyers being the US, Canada, and Belgium. These countries show a rising preference for healthy products, a niche where Colombia can enhance its role as an international supplier. During the reviewed period, the US remained the top export market, with sales totaling $18.7 million.

However, aromatic plants aren’t only popular internationally; they also have significant domestic consumption. In 2020, a study by the Humboldt Institute in Bogotá identified 391 species at Plaza Samper Mendoza, with 201 being native and 163 exotic.

Germán Eduardo Torres, a researcher at the Humboldt Institute, outlined that some of the traded species are endemic or exclusive to the country. These aromatic species include plants used as condiments, spices, or flour. There are also 25 ornamental species, three used for wrapping, 12 for cosmetics, and 18 for various other purposes.

According to ProColombia, basil stands out as one of the most sought-after aromatic plants, followed by thyme, rosemary, chives, mint, tarragon, oregano, dill, marjoram, and sage. Many of these plants serve gastronomic purposes, either as seasonings or for hot beverages, as in the case of mint, underscoring the diversity of this segment.