Colombia to Resume Coal Exports to Israel, Reversing Previous Ban

The Colombian government has announced it will resume coal exports to Israel, reversing a decision made by the previous administration under President Gustavo Petro.

Mauricio Gómez Amín, the Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism, confirmed the resumption of exports, stating that a decree authorizing the trade has been issued. This move is part of the new government's initial measures aimed at revitalizing commercial ties.

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We have the decree that authorizes the export of coal.

In June 2024, Petro suspended coal exports to Israel as a form of protest against the Israeli offensive in Gaza. This decision affected one of Colombia's primary markets for coal, leading to an estimated annual reduction of approximately 3.5 million tons of coal destined for Israel, valued at around $200 million, according to the Colombian Federation of Coal Producers (Fenalcarbón).

Carlos Cante, president of Fenalcarbón, cautioned that lifting the restriction does not guarantee an immediate recovery of the market share. He noted that Israel has already begun sourcing coal from South Africa and has increased its reliance on natural gas for some thermal power generation plants. "Recovering that market in the volume Colombia had will be very complicated," Cante stated.

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Recovering that market in the volume Colombia had will be very complicated.

Colombian producers have had to redirect a portion of their coal exports to other destinations, primarily within Latin America. The recovery of the Israeli market is part of a broader agenda proposed by the mining sector to the new government, focusing on boosting coal and coke production and exports. Fenalcarbón estimates that Colombia lost approximately 10 million tons in production and exports of these products between 2022 and 2026.

The resumption of exports aligns with the president's agenda, which includes re-establishing commercial relations with Israel, expanding markets for Colombian products, and strengthening trade ties with other nations. Earlier on Friday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs received the credentials of new ambassadors from four countries, including Israel's ambassador, Vivian Aisen, who identified strengthening economic ties and expanding trade as key objectives for her mission.

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One of the main objectives of my mission will be to strengthen economic ties and expand trade exchange.