Colombian exports in August climbed 22.3% to $3.2 billion from a year earlier, the government’s statistics institute, or DANE, said Tuesday.
The August figures continue a pattern of increases in Colombia’s exports, boosted by sales of oil, coal, coffee and ferronickel. These products together climbed 31.7% in August and reached sales of $2.18 billion. Non-traditional exports, which include manufacturing and agricultural goods, rose 1.7% to $1 billion.
The export sector has enjoyed a strong recovery after suffering steep declines last year. In the first eight months of 2010, exports are up 22% to $25.6 billion.
A string of diplomatic disputes with Venezuela hurt Colombian exporters last year, with sales to the neighboring country dropping 70%.
Government officials have said they expect Colombian exports to climb 22% for the year and reach $40 billion. (Darcy Crowe / Dow Jones Newswires)