Colombia's Manufacturing PMI Slips in April

Colombia's Davivienda Manufacturing PMI eased to 50.8 in April 2026 from 51.4 in March, marked by the first production decline in over a year. Manufacturers reduced buying levels, as new orders growth slowed, amid subdued consumer demand, and costs rose to a three-year high, mainly for chemicals, hydrocarbons, packaging, plastics, rubber and textiles. Additionally, higher supplier delivery times and customs-related disruptions quickened the rate of inventory depletion to a two and a half year low. On employment, fixed-term staff were mainly hired, although overall job creation stayed modest. Business confidence deteriorated to its lowest level in nearly two years, as manufacturers cited rising competition, inflationary pressures, and softer demand as key concerns.

Colombia's Davivienda Manufacturing PMI eased to 51.4 in March from 51.6 in February 2026, indicating moderate sector improvement. New orders expanded modestly as firms noted demand resilience and new client wins, though growth softened. Output rose at a solid pace above its long-run average but receded from the prior month. Cost pressures drove sharp selling price increases, the second-strongest in nearly three-and-a-half years, as input costs surged among the strongest since March 2023. Firms paid more for chemicals, metals, textiles, and wood, with Middle East war cited as a factor. Job shedding continued for the third straight month at a modest pace. Purchasing volumes jumped at the quickest rate since November as firms anticipated further price increases. Supply disruptions worsened, with lead times extending to the most marked level in 2026. Backlogs fell at the fastest rate in 15 months. Manufacturer optimism slipped to a 21-month low, below the long-run average.

Colombia’s Davivienda Manufacturing PMI rose to 51.6 in February 2026 from January’s 10-month low of 50.0, as factory output expanded for the 11th straight month, at the fastest pace since November. New orders grew solidly, exceeding the long-run trend. Rising minimum wages pushed input costs to a near-3-year high, prompting producers to raise selling prices at the steepest rate since December 2022. To offset costs, firms cut jobs, the sharpest decline in nearly six years. Forward-looking sentiment remained upbeat, supported by new products, machinery investments, and marketing, though tempered by concerns over cost pressures, policy, and tariffs.