Cacao Prices in Colombia Drop 32% This Year

Why this is here: Eduard Baquero, president of Fedecacao, stated that when producers receive only 6,000 pesos (about $1.46 USD) for a kilo of cacao, they operate at a loss.

The Banco Mundial reports cacao prices fell 32% in the first quarter of 2026, impacting Colombian producers. In Colombia, Fedecacao notes cacao sold for as little as 6,000 pesos per kilo—below production costs—while fertilizer prices rose.

Colombia benefited from high prices in 2024, earning two billion pesos from 73,000 tons of cacao. That year, a ton sold for over 10,000 dollars. In 2025, production dipped to 64,439 tons, yielding 1.65 billion pesos in exports, with prices reaching 11,350 dollars per ton.

Currently, a surplus of cacao and decreased consumption are driving prices down. A strong El Niño phenomenon expected mid-2026 could further destabilize harvests and prices.

Cacao cultivation remains a key strategy for replacing illicit crops in Colombia, particularly in the Amazon region, where it accounts for over 7% of national production. The situation requires ongoing monitoring.