Colombia expands inspection-at-origin for fresh produce exports

Colombia’s Agricultural Institute (ICA) has expanded its Inspection at Origin model after investing COP 2.18 billion (around $697,000) in the programme.

Under the system, phytosanitary inspections are carried out at packing plants and consolidation centres before shipments travel to seaports.

ICA said this helps exporters avoid situations where containers reach the port but fail to obtain the required phytosanitary certification and have to be returned to origin.

The programme currently benefits 81 exporters of Hass avocado and blueberries. According to ICA, the approach reduces transport costs, port delays and the risk of interruptions to the cold chain.

The authority also said the model gives exporters more certainty over delivery schedules for markets in Europe, the United States and Asia.

source and photo: ica.gov.co