Colombina

What Colombina does

Colombina is a Colombian multinational food manufacturer founded in 1928 and headquartered in Cali, Colombia, operating through a vertically integrated model that combines 7 production plants (5 in Colombia, 1 in Guatemala, 1 in Spain), 39 distribution centers, an 8,359-employee workforce, and a 2,000+ person direct sales force serving 750,000+ clients across more than 90 countries. Its revenue base of approximately $885M USD is generated through the manufacture and sale of an 18-category product portfolio — confectionery, cookies, frozen desserts, sauces, preserves, canned fish, and coffee — organized around 40+ owned brands, with Bon Bon Bum (Latin America's #1 bubble gum lollipop at 2 billion units annually) anchoring the portfolio alongside Nucita, Millows, Choco Break, Piazza, Van Camp's, and La Constancia.

The company generates revenue through a sales-led go-to-market motion combining direct B2B distribution to 70,000+ retail stores in Colombia, channel partnerships with major retailers (Éxito, Carulla, Jumbo), last-mile delivery through Rappi, an owned retail chain of 76 Markets Colombina stores, and direct export to 90+ countries. Product innovation accounts for 27% of total sales, and recent growth has been amplified by cross-brand collaborations (Bon Bon Bum x Tajín, Choco Break x Bon Bon Bum Red, Chocoramo ice cream with Ramo) targeting premium and youth consumer occasions across Latin America, the U.S., and Europe.

Colombina differentiates through manufacturing scale (the La Paila hard-candy plant is among the world's largest indoor facilities), sustainability credentials (9 consecutive years in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook Top 10%, #4 globally in 2026 with an 83/100 score; 100% renewable electricity in Colombia; Zero Waste Gold across all 5 Colombian plants; first sustainable-linked loan for a LatAm food/Bev company from BBVA), and a structural supplier-development moat through its Big Brother Program (210+ mentored companies). Financed via equity (388,028,232 ordinary shares), three bond issuances between 2007 and 2019, and the BBVA sustainable loan, the company continues to deploy capital toward renewable energy, geographic expansion into the U.S. and Europe, and consumer-brand extensions.

Name

Colombina

Legal name

Colombina S.A.

Website

http://www.colombina.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1927

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Colombina is a Colombian multinational food manufacturer founded in 1928, operating 7 plants across Colombia, Guatemala, and Spain to produce and sell confectionery, cookies, frozen desserts, sauces, and coffee through 40+ brands — most notably Bon Bon Bum — to 750,000+ clients in 90+ countries via direct sales, retail chains, its own Markets stores, and exports.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Confectionery and Packaged Food Manufacturing

NAICS

Food Manufacturing (311), Nonchocolate Confectionery Manufacturing (311340), Cookie, Cracker, and Pasta Manufacturing (31182), Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing (3114)

SIC

Sugar & Confectionery Products (2060), Bakery Products (2050), Canned, Frozen & Preservd Fruit, Veg & Food Specialties (2030), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Confectionery Manufacturing (Chocolate, Candy, Gum) (AFAKAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cookies, Biscuits & Crackers (CRADABAD), Refrigerated Dips & Spreads (Cream Cheese, Hummus, Salsa, Guacamole) (CRADACAG), Coffee & Tea Concentrates, Syrups & Extracts (CRADAHAI), Jams, Jellies, Preserves & Marmalades Manufacturing (AFAKACAJ)

Keywords

• Confectionery manufacturing
• Consumer packaged foods
• Baked goods production
• Frozen desserts
• Food manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Cali

HQ country

Colombia

HQ region

Latin America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Food Manufacturing and Sales: Colombina generates revenue through the manufacture and sale of a diverse food product portfolio including candies, chewing gum, chocolates, snacks, cookies, cakes, ice cream, sauces, canned fish, and coffee. The company serves over 750,000 clients worldwide through its own sales force and retail channels. Annual sales are approximately $885 million USD.
2. Colombina Markets Retail: Colombina operates its own chain of branded retail stores (Markets Colombina) — 76 owned points of sale (73 in Colombia and 3 in Guatemala) — generating direct retail revenue from end consumers.
3. International Trade and Export: Revenue generated from exports to 90+ countries. The company operates 7 production plants across Colombia, Guatemala, and Spain to serve regional markets including Latin America, Europe, Africa, Middle East, and the United States.
4. Sustainable Financing and Bond Programs: Colombina has a bond issuance program with a global cap of up to 300,000 million Colombian pesos (300,000 ordinary bonds). Has obtained Colombia's first long-term sustainable loan from BBVA under Sustainability-Linked Loan Principles for a food and beverage company in Latin America.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Colombina manufactures and sells a diversified portfolio of food products across confectionery, cookies and baked goods, frozen desserts, sauces and preserves, canned fish, coffee, and snacks. The company operates 7 production plants across Colombia, Guatemala, and Spain, and distributes through a direct sales force, owned retail stores (Markets Colombina), and major third-party retailers to reach more than 750,000 clients in over 90 countries.

Product overview

Colombina is a global food company with a diversified portfolio organized around a strong umbrella brand and multiple sub-brands across confectionery, bakery, frozen desserts, preserves, coffee, and snacks. The core product is Bon Bon Bum, the #1 bubble gum lollipop in Latin America selling 2 billion units annually. The portfolio includes confectionery brands (Colombina, Nucita, Millows, Grissly, Choco Break, Fruly), cookie brands (Piazza, Crakeñas, Moments, Robin Hood), coffee brands (Coffee Delight, Café Buendía), pantry brands (Van Camp's canned fish, La Constancia sauces), and frozen desserts (ice cream, popsicles). The company also operates Big Brother supplier development program, Rall-e Sales B2B marketplace serving 63,000 stores, and owns 83 retail Markets Colombina stores. Products are distributed across 82+ countries with significant presence in Latin America.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bon Bon Bum: Bubble gum lollipop, the #1 in Latin America, sold in 67 countries with 2 billion units per year.
• Nucita
• Choco Break
• Café Buendía
• Piazza
• La Constancia
• Millows
• Van Camp's
• Xtime
• Max
• Moments
• Grissly
• Colombina 100%
• Menta Helada
• Crakeñas
• Fruly
• Capri
• Fruticas
• Mordisquetas
• Snacky
• Kick Back
• Fun Mix
• Muuu
• Bridge
• Brinky
• Chocmelos
• Choco Disk
• Chupileta
• Coffee Delight
• Críos Colombina 100%
• Quimbaya
• Robin Hood
• Pirulito
• Ponky
• Snow Mint
• Splot
• Tentazione
• Tipitin
• Twist
• Amazon
• Mini Bum
• Max Coco
• Maxilatto
• Snake
• Rall-e Ventas
• Markets Colombina

Products and services

• Bon Bon Bum Iconic bubble gum lollipop, the #1 bubble gum lollipop in Latin America, selling 2 billion units per year across 67 countries.
• Nucita Dairy caramel and confectionery brand available in more than 15 countries.
• Choco Break Chocolate bar brand with liquid center flavors.
• Millows Marshmallow brand offering classic and flavored marshmallow products.
• Piazza Cookie and biscuit brand offering sweet cookies and wafer products.
• Van Camp's Canned fish and preserves brand offering tuna and sardine products.
• La Constancia Hot dog and sausage sauces brand including traditional Colombian condiments.
• Coffee Delight Coffee brand offering cappuccino and coffee-based beverages in miniature format.
• Café Buendía Coffee brand offering various coffee products for domestic consumption.
• Fruly Frozen fruit bar brand offering ice pops and frozen desserts.
• Grissly Gummy candy brand offering fruit-flavored gummy products in various shapes.
• Menta Helada Mint candy brand featuring refreshing mint-flavored confectionery products.
• Colombina 100% Natural and clean-label product line positioned as 100% natural alternatives.
• Rall-e Sales Marketplace Digital B2B marketplace platform developed by Colombina to enhance store competitiveness, serving over 63,000 monthly shopkeepers.
• Markets Colombina Retail Chain Owned retail chain with 76 stores offering direct-to-consumer sales of the company's full product portfolio.
• Bon Bon Bum x Tajín Remix Limited-edition co-branded bubble gum lollipop with Tajín chili-lime flavor.
• Nucita Masticable Chocolate-filled chewy caramel candy launched in the Andean Region and Central America.
• Helado de Chocoramo Limited-edition ice cream collaboration with Ramo's Chocoramo brand.
• Bon Bon Bum x Postobón Manzana Limited-edition cross-brand product between Bon Bon Bum and Postobón Manzana flavors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 45% reduction in carbon footprint per ton produced versus base year
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• PostobóncoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 October 2025First-ever collaboration between Bon Bon Bum and Manzana Postobón — a limited-edition cross-brand product with swapped flavors (Bon Bon Bum flavored Postobón drink and gummies). A 100% Colombian brand collaboration leveraging two iconic local brands.
• RamocoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 September 2025Joint launch of limited-edition Chocoramo ice cream — combining Ramo's iconic Chocoramo cake with Colombina's ice cream manufacturing. Available across all Markets Colombina ice cream outlets (neveritas azules) nationwide. Demonstrates cross-brand collaboration even between competitors in the broader snacks market.
• TajínflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 July 2025Bon Bon Bum x Tajín limited-edition product collaboration — a co-branded bubble gum lollipop with Tajín chili-lime seasoning flavor. Launched in Colombia, USA, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Puerto Rico with projected first-year sales of $5 million. This collaboration emerged from organic social media demand, representing a flagship GTM partnership leveraging both iconic brands.
• KFC / FiestaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 May 2025KFC partnered with Fiesta (Colombina's Spain brand) to reimagine the classic Fresquito lollipop in a new version shaped like a chicken drumstick. Children participated in Madrid by painting the city's iconic spots for the launch event.
• Miami FCminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 April 2025Bon Bon Bum became a sponsor of Miami FC (US football/soccer club), marking Bon Bon Bum's entry into U.S. sports marketing. Reinforces the brand's commitment to determination and sportsmanship, expanding beyond Latin America into the U.S. market.
• International Labour Organization (ILO / OIT)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Colombina signed an agreement with the ILO in 2025 to strengthen productivity and promote better work opportunities. The company was previously recognized by the ILO as the first private sector company to voluntarily participate in the evaluation of jobs without gender bias, applying Convention 100. This partnership strengthens dialogue with Sintracolombina union.
• Sinergia AnimalminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Following 2025 engagement efforts by Sinergia Animal, Colombina was among 12 companies (alongside Cargill and IKEA) that improved transparency and strengthened cage-free egg commitments. The company also participated in Thailand's first supermarket ranking for cage-free policies, with 61% cage-free eggs used in 2025 and full transition targeted by 2027.
• Hospital San Antonio de RoldanillominorOthers · 16 October 2024Through the Obras por Impuestos mechanism, Colombina delivered $4,000 million COP in high-technology medical equipment to the public hospital, contributing to healthcare infrastructure and access in the Valle del Cauca region.
• USAIDminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 July 2024The Colombina Foundation partnered with USAID through the 'Generando Equidad' program to promote gender equity and natural resource stewardship in Santander de Quilichao, supporting community development near the production plant.
• Compromiso Valle and Tuluá Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2024Three-way partnership through the Big Brother Entrepreneurs program. The Colombina Foundation, Compromiso Valle, and the Tuluá Chamber of Commerce launched a joint call for entrepreneurs to award seed capital for business development.
• EnertivacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 May 2024Solar energy project inaugurated at the Escuintla, Guatemala production plant. Rooftop solar installation covers 8,000 sqm area, produces 1,860,000 kWh/year, covering 20% of the plant's energy consumption and reducing CO2 emissions by 750 tons/year. Foods supplied to Central America, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic now manufactured with cleaner energy.
• ANDI (National Association of Entrepreneurs of Colombia)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership with ANDI for the implementation of the Vision 30/30 project, targeting 30% utilization of packaging and containers placed on the national market by 2030. Also partnered for the donation of 3,816 multi-packs of cookies to communities affected by flooding in Santander de Quilichao.
• McDonald's ColombiacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 March 2023Exclusive collaboration at Festival Estéreo Picnic (FEP) — McDonald's offered a Sundae with Bon Bon Bum red lollipop sauce, creating a limited-edition festival experience combining two iconic Colombian brands. Bon Bon Bum sells 2 million lollipops daily globally.
• C.E.O. (Compañía Energética de Occidente)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 November 2020Solar energy farm partnership at the Santander de Quilichao cookie plant. C.E.O. erected a 4,890-panel solar grid over 22,000 sqm on Colombina-owned land, generating over 2,716,000 kWh/year. Colombian President Duque toured the facility at inauguration.
• Celsia (Compañía Energética de Occidente)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 November 2020Solar energy farm partnership at the La Paila Confectionery Production Plant. Celsia installed a 4,890-panel solar grid across 22,000 square meters, generating 2,716,000+ kWh/year for the plant. This partnership enables 100% renewable energy for one of the world's largest confectionery facilities.

Scale indicators34 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Hershey: US confectionery leader with chocolate and sweets portfolio; comparable in branded CPG economics and Latin American expansion ambitions, though with different geographic emphasis.
• Grupo Bimbo: Mexican multinational baked goods leader with comparable scale, Latin American distribution dominance, and adjacent product overlap (cookies, snacks, confectionery).
• Nestlé: Global food and beverage giant with broad confectionery, dairy, and coffee portfolios that overlap Colombina's categories. Operates at vastly larger scale across the same Latin American modern trade channels.
• Mars, Incorporated: Global confectionery and pet care company (M&M's, Snickers, Wrigley's gum) with overlapping product categories including chewing gum — a direct competitive overlap with Colombina's portfolio.
• Ferrero: Italian confectionery multinational (Nutella, Tic Tac, Kinder) competing in chocolates and adjacent categories across Latin American retail, with similar brand-led premium positioning.
• Mondelez International: Global confectionery leader (Cadbury, Milka, Toblerone, Trident gum) with overlapping Latin American distribution and direct competition in chewing gum, chocolate, and biscuits.

Regional players

• Grupo Gloria: Peruvian food conglomerate with dairy, beverages, and packaged foods. Comparable as a Latin American multi-category food platform, though with less confectionery focus than Colombina.
• Garoto (Nestlé Brasil): Brazilian chocolate and confectionery brand under Nestlé, providing a regional comparator for Colombina's chocolate and sweet confectionery business in the broader Latin American market.

Emerging players

• Cadbury (Mondelez India / emerging markets unit): Mondelez's emerging markets confectionery unit, including the Cadbury brand portfolio, competes directly with Colombina's chocolate and sugar confectionery offerings across Latin America.

Direct peers

• Grupo Arcor: Argentina-based global confectionery and food manufacturer with a similar multi-category portfolio (candies, cookies, chocolates, ice cream) and strong Latin American distribution. Closely comparable to Colombina in scale, brand portfolio breadth, and regional market positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ColombinaOficial
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/colombina-s-a
• TikToktiktok.com/@colombina

Compliance14 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Colombina