Colombia Says September Exports Rise 36.2% From Year Earlier

Colombian exports surged in September, continuing a trend that has seen a sharp increase in overseas sales largely driven by commodities such as oil and coal.

Exports for September jumped 36.2% from a year earlier to $4.48 billion, the government's statistics agency, known as DANE, reported Friday.

The September data extended a sharp surge in exports throughout the year. For the first nine months of the year, exports stood at $41.5 billion, a 43% increase from the same period in 2.010.

Colombia's traditional exports, which include oil, coal, coffee and ferronickel, rose 56.3% in September from a year earlier. Nontraditional exports, such as manufactured products and agricultural goods, climbed 6.3% in September.

The September figure means that Colombia already surpassed the 2.010 mark of $39.8 billion, which was a record for the country.