Colombia’s Golden Berry Boom: Uchuva Hits Record Exports in 2024

Colombia just turned a small orange berry into big trade news. Uchuva, or golden berry, closed 2024 with record exports and climbed into the top league of Colombian fruits that travel the world.​

For many shoppers abroad, it still feels like a fascinating discovery. For farming families in the Andes, it is rent, school fees, and a bet on staying in agriculture instead of leaving.​

Record year for a ‘small’ fruit

In 2024, uchuva exports reached around US$43.5 million, jumping 9.4% compared with 2023 and passing the US$40 million line for the first time.​

Trade groups describe a steady climb over several years, with uchuva now sitting in the top five of Colombia’s fruit exports, behind banana, avocado, Tahiti lime, and gulupa.​

From 2019 to 2024, uchuva exports accumulated more than US$227 million, with a compound annual growth rate near 4.1%.​

This is not just a Bogota or Medellin story. Production zones stretch through departments like Cundinamarca and Boyaca, and the value chain now includes dozens of specialized exporters.​

Why Colombia leads the golden berry map

Colombia is now estimated to produce about 94% of global uchuva, while Peru holds roughly 2.7%, and Ecuador 2.9%.​

Production in 2022 already passed 20,000 tons, with more than 8,500 tons exported, and volumes have kept growing.​

Geography plays in Colombia’s favor. Uchuva grows well in high-altitude Andean areas, and the country can harvest almost year-round, which keeps shelves supplied even when other fruits are off-season.​

Exporters also highlight logistics. Shipping from Colombia to Rotterdam can be up to 10 days faster than from Peru, which means better shelf life for a delicate fruit.​

From farm families to global shelves

Around 1,500 Colombian families grow uchuva on small plots, often combining it with other crops or livestock.​

To reach foreign markets, they work with roughly 48 exporting companies that handle sorting, packing, certifications, and shipping.​

Export leaders describe the fruit as “checked one by one.” In 2024 alone, more than 8,000 tons of uchuva were inspected berry by berry to meet strict quality demands in Europe and North America.​

For some firms, uchuva represents between 50% and 70% of sales, which shows how central this crop has become in their business plans.​

Where it goes and why buyers like it

The Netherlands acts as the main entry port, taking about 64% of exports in 2022 and then re-exporting to other European countries.​

Other important buyers include the United States, Canada, Germany, Belgium, and markets in the Middle East and Asia, such as the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.​

On the consumer side, uchuva rides two trends at once: “exotic” fruit and “functional” food. It is rich in vitamins A and C, antioxidants, and compounds studied for anti-inflammatory effects.​

In Europe, it often appears in dessert decoration, smoothies, and snack mixes. In North America, it has found space in health food aisles and gourmet stores.​

Challenges, goals, and what comes next

Sector leaders talk about a near-term goal of reaching US$100 million in exports, more than doubling current levels.​

At the same time, they note structural challenges: Phytosanitary rules getting stricter, the need for more technical support on farms, and competition from other producing countries that want a slice of this growing market.​

Reports on the value chain in Colombia highlight social and environmental issues, from fair prices for growers to sustainable practices on land and water use.​

If Colombia can keep yield and quality growing while protecting these fronts, uchuva might move from “exotic niche” to a stable, long-term export pillar.​

Golden berry’s bright future

Uchuva already proved it is more than a garnish. It is a serious export line with record numbers, loyal buyers, and a long queue of families behind every crate that leaves the country.​

The next step is turning momentum into resilience. If Colombia invests in farms, logistics, and market diversification, the “golden berry” can keep shining abroad, while staying rooted in the rural communities that made the record possible.​