USDA International Egg and Poultry: Colombia

USDA International Egg and Poultry

Reports » USDA International Egg and Poultry » USDA International Egg and Poultry: Colombia

28 November 2012

November 22, 2006 the US and Colombia signed a free trade agreement (FTA). The Colombian Congress approved the FTA June 14, 2007. A Protocol of Amendment was signed June 28, 2007 and approved by Congress October 30, 2007.

Colombia completed the necessary steps for ratification July 24, 2008. On April 7, 2011 bot the US and Colombia announced a bilateral Action Plan Related to Labor Rights. US Congress approved the agreement October 12, 2011, which was then signed into law by President Obama October 21, 2011. The US-Colombian FTA went into effect upon conclusion of a 7 month implementation plan.

From January-September 2012 the US exported 22,312 metric tons (MT) of broiler meat, 11% higher than the same time a year ago (20,143 MT). Whereas the US exported a total of 28,986 MT from January-December 2011, 9% lower than 2010 (31,870 MT).

US turkey meat exports totaled 705 MT from January-September 2012, 468% higher than the same period a year ago (125 MT). In contrast, US turkey meat exports totaled 285 MT from January- December 2011, 182% higher than 2010 (101.1 MT).

From January-September 2012, US egg and egg product exports to Colombia totaled 88 MT, up 89% from the same time a year ago (46.7 MT). Where US exports of egg and egg products to Colombia totaled 46.8 MT from January-December 2011, 39% lower than 2010 (76.5 MT).

Colombia’s Broiler Situation in Thousand Metric Tons (TMT)

Despite increased market access to Colombian markets US exporters continue to struggle with port of entry issues prompting the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) to release a report citing ways to successfully improve shipment ease. According to FAS, documentation and clerical errors represent the majority of port of entry problems for US exports to Colombia. Others include noncompliance with sanitary, phytosanitary, and labeling requirements; the appearance of unsanitary packaging and non-compliance with labeling requirements (i.e. product origin); and a US establishment’s not being registered with INVIMA. USDA FAS has provided the following list of considerations to help industry avoid any port of entry problems with Colombia.

Keys to Avoiding Port of Entry Problems

Verify the product’s eligibility for entry into Colombia.
Confirm that the certificates and accompanying documents contain accurate product information.
Confirm that the USDA certificates are current and applicable to Colombian import regulations.
Confirm that the US establishment is registered with INVIMA.
Verify compliance with Colombia’s labeling regulations.
Be aware that INVIMA inspectors are prone to reject containers based on the appearance of unsanitary packaging.
Verify that documents accompanying the shipment are originals and are signed by the corresponding US authorities.
Maintain close communication with the Colombian customer and US freight forwarder responsible for the shipment.

All ports are equipped to handle most shipments of agricultural goods, however the primary sea ports of entry for the US are Ports of Barranquilla (bulk commodities), Santa Marta (bulk commodities), Cartagena (container shipments), and Buenaventura. Administration of the ports is primarily managed by officials with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Trade (MOCIT), while officials from the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and Health and Social Protection (MHSP) provide additional support (i.e. food safety and plant and animal sanitary and phytosanitary concerns). In addition to a US establishment being federally inspected and listed in the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Meat and Poultry Inspection Directory it must also be registered with MHSP’s National Institute for the Surveillance of Food and Medicines (INVIMA). Prior to shipping, an exporter is recommended to verify a US establishment’s registration status with INVIMA by checking this website: http://web.invima.gov.co/portal/faces/index.jsp?id=33401

Source: USDA FAS US-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Fact Sheet/US-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, Embassy of Colombia/USDA FAS Attaché November 8, 2012/ Colombia Food and Agriculture Import Regulations and Standards Report dated December 12, 2011/USDA AMS LPS/Various News Wires