Colombia’s imports climbed 10%, as compared to the same month last year, due to a major increase in oil imports, reported the Colombian government on Monday.
Imports increased from $4.68 billion for September 2012 to $5.15 billion for September 2013, according to a report released by the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE).
This after August saw a drop in national imports.
MORE: Imports to Colombia down during August
The main cause for the growth was reportedly a 43.8% surge in the import of refined fuels and mining products, along with a 7.3% rise in manufactured goods.
A net producer of combustibles, Colombia’s internal production was hampered in September by industrial strikes and guerrilla attacks on infrastructure.
MORE: Colombia’s oil production drops
Through September, Colombia’s trade balance remains in surplus at $1.76 billion.
As of August of this year, the highest surpluses were with the United States ($2.85 billion), Panama ($2.1 billion) and the Netherlands ($1.3 billion).