Colombian bell peppers arrive in U.S. for the first time

Colombia has exported 9,000 kilograms of bell peppers to the U.S. for the first time ever.

The bell peppers were grown in El Dovio by Pimentonera Santa María and are being shipped via Clasifruit, according to a ProColombia news release. 

ProColombia says expectations for the bell pepper sector in Colombia are high, given that the U.S. is the world's main importer of the product. The USDA' Foreign Agricultural Service reports that the value of bell pepper imports in 2022 has reached $ 1.9 billion. Mexico is the main supplier, followed by Canada and the Netherlands. 

In addition to the bell pepper, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service also authorized the importation of five commodities of fresh pepper fruit from Colombia, including the locoto, habanero, tabasco, and manzano, according to the release. 

Colombian Ambassador to the U.S. Luis Gilberto Murillo welcomed the news and noted that this is a new opportunity for Colombian farmers.

"This is the result of a joint work between the ministry of trade, industry and tourism; the ministry of agriculture and rural development; the foreign ministry; ICA; ProColombia; and the Embassy of Colombia in the U.S.,” he said in the release. 

Exports of bell peppers from Colombia to the U.S. represent an opportunity for both countries, said Juliana Villegas, exports vice president of ProColombia, the government agency in charge of promoting non-mining exports, tourism and investment.

“This opens a window both for the Colombian agricultural sector, as well as for the American buyers, due to the country's diverse topography and climate zones, which allow crops to be harvested year-round," Villegas said.

Grower Pimentonera Santa María expects to continue working with local producers to consolidate its installed capacity and is confident that “Americans will fall in love with the Colombian bell pepper, since it is a high-quality product that, due to its packing technology, will be kept in optimal conditions for more than three weeks, arriving to the Americans’ tables fresh and tasty,” said Director Juan Carlos Mendoza.

To date, Colombia has over 100 varieties of agricultural products with the green light to enter the U.S. market. Among other Colombian commodities found across the American territory are Hass avocados, goldenberries, blueberries, tangerines, oranges, pineapples, mangos and Tahiti limes, according to the release.