Colombian exports in June climbed 11.7% to $3 billion from a year earlier, the government’s statistics institute, or DANE, said Thursday.
The June figures continue a pattern of increases in Colombia’s exports, boosted by sales of oil, coal, coffee and ferronickel. These products together climbed 30% in June and reached sales of $1.54 billion. Non-traditional exports, which include manufacturing and agricultural goods, declined 12% to $1.05 billion.
The export sector has enjoyed a strong recovery after suffering steep declines last year. In the first six months of 2010, exports are up 24.3% to $19.2 billion.
A string of diplomatic disputes with Venezuela hurt Colombian exporters last year, with sales to the neighboring country dropping 70%. As a result of the problems with Venezuela, China is now Colombia’s second-largest trading partner.
Government officials have said that they expect Colombian exports to climb 22% for the year and reach $40 billion.
