Colombian imports saw a 17% increase in January 2012 compared to the same month last year, according to the government statistics agency DANE.
$4.4 billion of goods were imported in the first month of this year compared to $3.8 billion in January 2011. The figures include cost, insurance and freight.
This is due to greater purchases of fuel, mineral oil and their derivatives, as well as vehicles, parts and accessories.
Imports from China saw the greatest year on year increase. Imports from the Asian giant were valued at $707 million in January 2012 compared to $458 in the same month last year, a 54% increase.
Mexico experienced the second greatest increase in exports to Colombia, with 35% growth.