Apparel market in Colombia - statistics & facts
This Latin American country is widely known for its coffee, flowers, and emeralds. Still, the apparel market contributes its fair share to Colombia’s economy. With over 600 manufacturing establishments and more than 66,000 people employed, the apparel industry accounts for approximately 9.4 percent of Colombia’s manufacturing sector’s GDP. However, the LATAM country does not only supply the local market, but it is also a major apparel exporter.
Colombia’s apparel market is set to grow steadily over the next couple of years, reaching a revenue of almost 12 billion U.S. dollar by 2028.
Colombia’s apparel trade shift
In 2023, Colombia’s export value of clothing amounted to 546 million U.S. dollars. The United States comprised by far the majority of these sales abroad, making it Colombia’s main export destination for apparel products. Furthermore, the United States – Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (TPA) eliminated tariffs and removed barriers between both nations, making bilateral trade more attractive. Over the past decade, however, the country’s import value of clothing has started to surpass its exports, causing a negative trade balance, or trade deficit, in the Colombian apparel trade. Moreover, China being Colombia’s main import origin for apparel products facilitates the extensive arrival of low-price clothing from Asia.Colombia's leading apparel companies
Local clothing brands dominate the Colombian apparel market. In 2022, Colombia’s leading textile and apparel businesses were Manufacturas Eliot SAS, owner of the brands Patprimo, Seven Seven, and Facol, as well as Internacional de Distribuciones de Vestuario de Moda SAS, whose flagship brands include Carmel and Pacifika. In terms of apparel brands with the best reputation in Colombia, the country’s own Arturo Calle led the list in 2023. Even when it came to lingerie, shapewear, and swimwear, Colombians preferred their own brand – Leonisa. Together with Arturo Callo, they were among the most preferred clothing brands in Colombia.Colombia’s apparel market is set to grow steadily over the next couple of years, reaching a revenue of almost 12 billion U.S. dollar by 2028.
