Colombia Industrial Output Drops 0.5%

2026-03-16 16:03 By Larissa Caser 1 min. read

Colombia’s industrial production declined 0.5% year-on-year in January 2026, easing slightly from a 0.6% drop in December but falling well short of expectations for a 0.2% increase.

The contraction was largely driven by weak performance across most sectors, with 22 out of 39 industrial activities posting annual declines, an improvement from 24 sectors reporting decreases in the previous month.

Significant declines were recorded in basic chemicals (-10.4%), electrical equipment (-9.6%), beverage manufacturing (-2.4%), cocoa, chocolate and confectionery (-16.2%), and sugar and unrefined sugar cane (-10.9%).

In contrast, several sectors recorded strong growth, including motor vehicles (66.9%), petroleum refining and fuel blending (6.6%), transport equipment (26.6%), apparel (8.0%) and pharmaceutical products (6.3%).

Meanwhile, retail sales declined 0.7% and industrial employment rose 0.1%.



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Colombia Industrial Output Drops 0.5%
Colombia’s industrial production declined 0.5% year-on-year in January 2026, easing slightly from a 0.6% drop in December but falling well short of expectations for a 0.2% increase. The contraction was largely driven by weak performance across most sectors, with 22 out of 39 industrial activities posting annual declines, an improvement from 24 sectors reporting decreases in the previous month. Significant declines were recorded in basic chemicals (-10.4%), electrical equipment (-9.6%), beverage manufacturing (-2.4%), cocoa, chocolate and confectionery (-16.2%), and sugar and unrefined sugar cane (-10.9%). In contrast, several sectors recorded strong growth, including motor vehicles (66.9%), petroleum refining and fuel blending (6.6%), transport equipment (26.6%), apparel (8.0%) and pharmaceutical products (6.3%). Meanwhile, retail sales declined 0.7% and industrial employment rose 0.1%.
2026-03-16
Colombia Industrial Output Contracts in December
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.
2026-02-13
Colombia Industrial Output Growth at 7-Month Low
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%.
2026-01-23