Colombia Industrial Output Eases in October

Colombia's industrial production fell -0.6% year-on-year in December 2025, reversing the 0.7% expansion in November and marking a renewed contraction. The decline was primarily driven by negative results in the majority of manufacturing divisions, with 24 of the 39 activities registering annual decreases. Beverage manufacturing (-3.5%), basic chemicals (-12.4%), metal products (-12%), coke and refined petroleum products (-3.5%), and basic iron and steel industries (-9.2%) exerted the largest downward contributions to the national total. In contrast, 15 activities posted positive variations but were insufficient to offset broader weakness.

Colombia's industrial production rose 0.7% year-on-year in November 2025, marking the weakest expansion since April, slowing from a 1.9% increase in October and below expectations for a 1.9% expansion. The slowdown was primarily driven by declines in beverage preparation (-3.3%), elaborate metal products (-12.8%), paper, cardboard and their products (-6.3%) and machinery and equipment (-13.3%). In contrast, growth was supported by pharmaceutical and chemical products (12.5%), other transports (32.9%) and basic iron and steel industries (-12.6%). Retail sales dropped by -0.4%, marking their first decline since April, and industrial employment rose to 0.9%.

Colombia’s industrial production rose 1.9% year-on-year in October 2025, down from a 5.2% gain in September and below expectations of a 2.1% expansion. Growth was mainly driven by coking, petroleum refining, and fuel blending (7.9%), non-metallic minerals (8.7%), clothing (11.2%), other types of transport equipment (23.1%), and soaps, detergents, and perfumes (4.4%). In contrast, basic iron and steel industries (-14.7%), milling (-11.3%), and sugar (-10.9%) led the decline. Real sales increased 2.4% from a year earlier, and industrial employment rose 0.7%.