Colombian Ambassador to the United States, Carolina Barco, told attendees of the U.S. Grains Council’s 50th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting that U.S. agricultural exports to Colombia have dropped dramatically, with significant market share loss due to the non-ratified U.S.- Colombia free trade agreement (FTA).

In 2008, U.S. agricultural exports to Colombia totaled nearly $1.2 billion. In 2009, this number was cut by 50 percent to roughly $600 million. The greatest loss of market share for U.S. agricultural exports to Colombia were corn, a 65 percent reduction, and wheat, a 57 percent reduction.

“Colombia has a preference to the United States as a way to strengthen Colombia’s economy,� said Ambassador Barco. The lack of a ratified free trade agreement with the United States “has a cost if we don’t carry it out … We must work together on behalf of the United States and Colombia.�

The Colombian government’s active policy is to seek trade agreements, Ambassador Barco explained, and the newly elected Colombian president will be just as proactive.

Ambassador Barco explained that Colombian exports have tripled since 2002.

“In 2002, Colombia had two free trade agreements with five countries. Now we are active in more than 11 free trade agreements with 47 countries, which represents nearly 1.5 billion consumers,� she said. “We are starting the work to implement the newly signed Canada free trade agreement and pursuing FTAs with Panama and Korea.�

Ambassador Barco expressed the urgency for the United States to ratify the pending free trade agreement with Colombia.

“The job the U.S. Grains Council does to increase international trade is will recognized and appreciated all over the world. The sooner we move on ratifying the U.S.- Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement the better,� she said.