Colombia Food Packaging Market Overview
Colombia is the third-largest economy in Latin America, with a food packaging market valued at approximately USD 3.5-4.2 billion. The dairy sector generates over USD 4 billion in annual revenues, with yogurt being one of the fastest-growing categories at 6-8% annual growth. Major dairy processors include Alpina (approximately 30% market share), Colanta, Alquería, Danone Colombia, and Parmalat Colombia. These companies operate over 60 dairy plants nationwide, concentrated in the Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali regions. Colombia imports approximately 50-60% of its plastics processing equipment, with Chinese machinery gaining market share from traditional European and American suppliers. The country's strategic position provides access to Andean Community (CAN) markets (Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia) and Pacific Alliance trade benefits with Mexico, Chile, and Peru. PP resin is supplied through Ecopetrol's petrochemical subsidiary Essentia and imports via Buenaventura and Cartagena ports at approximately $1,100-1,350/MT.
Key Specs
- •The dairy sector generates over USD 4 billion in annual revenues, with yogurt being one of the fastest-growing categories at 6-8% annual growth.
- •Major dairy processors include Alpina (approximately 30% market share), Colanta, Alquería, Danone Colombia, and Parmalat Colombia.
- •Colombia imports approximately 50-60% of its plastics processing equipment, with Chinese machinery gaining market share from traditional European and American suppliers.
Finished yogurt cups — high-speed thin-wall production
Key Opportunities: Yogurt Cup Production Sector
Colombian yogurt cups feature 150 ml and 200 ml as the dominant single-serve formats, with part weights of 5.0-7.0 g and wall thicknesses of 0.40-0.55 mm. The market is characterized by strong brand competition, making IML decoration increasingly important for shelf differentiation. Alpina's transition to IML across its Bon Yurt and Regeneris lines has driven industry-wide adoption. Colombian consumers prefer both spoonable yogurt (requiring rigid cups) and drinkable yogurt (wider-mouth formats). A 4-cavity IML mold on the HMD 270M8-SPV produces 3,200-4,114 cups per hour, suitable for regional dairies. For national brands, the HMD 400M8-SPV with 8-cavity IML molds delivers 6,400-8,228 cups per hour. PP resin from Ecopetrol/Essentia (grade HP 502H, MFI 35 g/10 min) is suitable for thin-wall cup production at competitive local pricing. The growing Colombian middle class and organized retail expansion (Éxito, Jumbo, D1, Ara) drive consistent demand growth.
Import Regulations and Certification Requirements
Injection molding machines enter Colombia under HS code 8477.10.00 with import duty of 5% and IVA (VAT) of 19%. Colombia's free trade agreement with China is under negotiation; current tariffs apply standard MFN rates. Equipment must comply with RETIE (Technical Regulation for Electrical Installations) for electrical safety. Food contact packaging requires INVIMA (Instituto Nacional de Vigilancia de Medicamentos y Alimentos) registration, with materials meeting Resolution 834 of 2013 (equivalent to FDA 21 CFR) migration and composition requirements. PP for food contact must demonstrate overall migration below 10 mg/dm2. Import procedure requires registration with DIAN (customs authority), commercial invoice with CIF value, certificate of origin, and packing list. Letters of credit and wire transfers (TT) are both accepted payment instruments. HWAMDA provides complete RETIE-compatible electrical documentation and test certificates for Colombian customs requirements.
Key Specs
- •Injection molding machines enter Colombia under HS code 8477.10.00 with import duty of 5% and IVA (VAT) of 19%.
Multi-cavity yogurt cup mold with precision cooling channels
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HWAMDA Equipment Configuration for Colombia
For Colombia's yogurt cup market, HWAMDA recommends the HMD 270M8-SPV (2,700 kN) for 4-cavity startup operations and the HMD 400M8-SPV (4,000 kN) for 8-cavity production. Both models are configured for 220V/60Hz to match Colombia's electrical standard (different from the 380V/50Hz used in most Asian and European markets). The HMD 400M8-SPV provides 374-442 mm/s injection speed, 918-1,078 cm3 injection volume, and 1,080 x 1,060 mm platen dimensions. Molds use 2344 (H13) steel with valve gate hot runners designed for 150-200 ml Colombian cup formats at 70-88 mm diameter and 60-75 mm height. IML automation uses the SWITEK SW833 robot. The INOVA controller provides Spanish-language interface support. Auxiliary equipment includes chillers rated for tropical ambient temperatures up to 38 degrees Celsius (Bogotá altitude of 2,640 m reduces ambient temperature concerns but affects cooling system pressure; sea-level locations like Cartagena require full tropical cooling packages). Voltage stabilizers are recommended for regions with grid fluctuations.
Logistics and After-Sales Support for Colombia
HWAMDA ships from Ningbo to Colombia's primary ports of Buenaventura (Pacific coast, 22-28 days transit) and Cartagena (Caribbean coast, 30-38 days via Panama Canal or transshipment). Ocean freight costs $3,500-6,000 per 40ft container depending on route and season. Buenaventura is preferred for clients in Bogotá, Cali, and Medellín, with inland trucking taking 8-15 hours depending on destination. An HMD 400M8-SPV (7.7 x 2.0 x 2.4 m, approximately 13 tons) ships in a 40ft open-top container. Installation and commissioning requires 5-7 days on-site by HWAMDA engineers, with Spanish-language operator training over 3-5 days. HWAMDA has experience with Colombian industrial environments and can recommend local contractors for power supply, compressed air, and cooling water connections. After-sales support includes 24-month warranty, WhatsApp-based remote diagnostics in Spanish, and spare parts from Ningbo (20-28 days) or air freight (5-7 days for urgent items).
Key Specs
- •Buenaventura is preferred for clients in Bogotá, Cali, and Medellín, with inland trucking taking 8-15 hours depending on destination.
- •An HMD 400M8-SPV (7.7 x 2.0 x 2.4 m, approximately 13 tons) ships in a 40ft open-top container.
Hot runner system for balanced melt flow distribution
Getting Started: Investment and ROI for Colombia
A complete 4-cavity yogurt cup IML line for Colombia includes: HMD 270M8-SPV ($55,000-70,000), 4-cavity IML mold ($12,000-18,000), SWITEK IML robot ($15,000-20,000), chiller and auxiliaries ($5,000-8,000), and shipping plus customs ($5,000-8,000). Total: $92,000-124,000. An 8-cavity HMD 400M8-SPV line totals $140,000-190,000. The 4-cavity line produces approximately 20 million cups annually. Using local PP at $1,100-1,350/MT and 6 g per cup, material cost is $0.0066-0.0081 per cup. Colombian industrial electricity at $0.10-0.14/kWh and labor at COP 1,300,000-2,000,000/month ($310-480) bring total production cost to approximately $0.012-0.016 per cup. Wholesale cup prices in Colombia range from COP 100-180 ($0.024-0.043), yielding gross margins of 50-65%. With growing domestic demand and CAN export opportunities, payback is estimated at 16-24 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. HWAMDA configures all SPV5 machines for Colombia with 220V/60Hz electrical systems, including motor specifications, control cabinet wiring, and heater band ratings matched to the Colombian grid. The INOVA controller and servo drives are multi-voltage compatible. HWAMDA recommends voltage stabilizers for locations where grid voltage fluctuates beyond +/-5% of nominal, common in some Colombian industrial zones outside major cities.
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