Imports to Colombia rose 16.5% in April compared to the same month last year, said the county’s national statistics agency Wednesday.
According to DANE, total foreign purchases increased from $4.4 billion to $5.7 billion compared to April 2012. The trade surplus was $36.8 million.
According to the statistics, manufactured goods accounted for 78.3% of the imports in April, mining products 10.2%, and agricultural products, food and beverages 11.3% . The increase in manufactured goods was mainly responsible for the growth.
The main countries of origin for the goods were the U.S. and China, from where imports rose from $7.2 billion to $8.1 billion from the same month last year.
Imports for the first trimester increased 4.7% over the same period in 2012.