According to Colombia's National Administrative Department of Statistics, Colombian exports to Venezuela decreased by 8.6% in March 2011.

Exports of pharmaceutical products declined 57.1%, from USD 10.2 million in March 2010 to USD 4.4 million in March 2011. Sales of vehicles and auto parts, particularly wheels and wheels parts tumbled 70.9%.

DANE added that "On the contrary, exports of fuel, oil and products increased by 298.1%, from USD 6.6 million to USD 26.4 million. This was due to higher sales of natural gas 428.5%."

Between January and March 2011, Colombia exported to Venezuela USD 322.4 million in different products, a 15.2% drop compared to exports in the same period of 2010, when Colombia exported goods to Venezuela amounting to USD 380.1 million.

DANE stressed that the decline in exports is mainly due to a 40.8% decline in the sales of paper, cardboard and related products. It said that "The result was mainly due to the decrease in the sale of baby diapers 62%."

(Sourced from www.eluniversal.com)