Colombia’s GACP Cultivators Move Swiftly Toward EU GMP
Colombia’s rich soils, year-round sunlight, and diverse microclimates make it an ideal place for cannabis cultivation. Over the past decade, supportive regulations and foreign investment have helped the country emerge as a key source of medical cannabis for global markets.
A major factor behind this growth has been cultivators’ adherence to Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP). Certification under GACP confirms that cultivation, harvesting, and initial processing meet strict quality and safety standards set by the World Health Organization. For cultivators targeting Europe, GACP certification is not optional; it’s a requirement.
Leaving GMP Washers Behind: Colombia’s Shift to In-Country GMP
Despite this strong foundation, Colombian producers historically lacked EU Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certified processing facilities. While GACP (Good Agricultural and Collection Practices) governs how cannabis is cultivated and harvested, GMP focuses on what happens after, such as covering manufacturing, extraction, and packaging processes to ensure medical-grade safety, consistency, and quality control required for European markets. Without GMP-certified local processing, cultivators relied on European “GMP washers” to make their products market-ready for key export markets such as Germany.
Today, this is changing rapidly. More cultivators are moving toward integrating EU GMP-certified processing directly in Colombia. This shift allows producers to retain more value in-country, maintain tighter control over product quality, and export directly to high-demand destinations such as Germany, Portugal, and the Netherlands.
Market Growth and Global Position
The total Colombian cannabis market is projected to reach between USD $68.16 million and USD $72.57 million by 2025, depending on how the market is defined and segmented. Looking ahead to 2030, forecasts suggest growth to be as much as USD $146.7 million, representing a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 27.7%. For the medical cannabis segment alone, 2025 revenue is expected to be at least USD $21.56 million, with a projected CAGR of 4.55%.
Sources for Colombian Cannabis Market Data
- Statista – Cannabis Market in Colombia (Total, 2025: USD $68.16M)
- Cognitive Market Research – Medical Cannabis Market Report (2025: USD $72.57M)
- Grand View Research – Legal Cannabis Market in Colombia (2030: USD $146.7M, CAGR: 27.7%)
- Statista – Medical Cannabis Market in Colombia (2025: USD $21.56M, CAGR: 4.55%)
The Role of Microbial Safety in Colombia’s New Era
Post-harvest microbial control is vital for complying with EU GMP standards and accessing premium European markets. At Ziel, our Radio Frequency (RF) decontamination technology helps cultivators meet these strict European Pharmacopoeia guidelines, opening the door to key destinations like Germany, Portugal, and the Netherlands.
By combining GACP-certified cultivation with local EU GMP processing and advanced microbial safety solutions like ours, Colombia is moving from a raw material supplier to a fully integrated, premium medical cannabis exporter. This transformation reflects a strong commitment to quality and global compliance, marking a new chapter for the country’s cannabis industry.
We’re proud to partner with producers who are ready to meet the strictest European standards and expand their reach worldwide.
Talk to Ziel about supporting your EU GMP transition today!
