Abstract for: Global Trade Framework for Colombian Medicinal Plants

Latim America is one of the world’s most biodiverse regions and possesses significant potential to supply medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) as global demand continues to expand. However, the region remains underrepresented in global trade due to fragmented, low-coordination logistics systems and limited institutional alignment. The study is to find a way forward out of this. The study addresses that gap by developing a System Dynamics-based logistics framework tailored to SME conditions, aiming to support consistent, cost-effective and quality-preserving exports. The methodology follows an approach structured into five sequential stages: stakeholder mapping, data collection and analysis and a framework development by integrating literature insights with empirical evidence from SME interviews and field observations, ensuring a structured and practical approach that bridges theory to real challenges faced by Colombian exporters. By employing a qualitative System Dynamics approach, the research mapped the causal mechanisms linking knowledge gaps, contract design, traceability constraints, multimodal logistics fragilities and product integrity risks across two representative value chains. The findings reveal not isolated operational failures but an interconnected system of reinforcing and balancing loops that constrain SMEs' ability to meet international quality, timing, and compliance requirements. 1>The sponsors congratulated the team for examining the topic far more comprehensively than they had expected to be done in a 3-month period; noting that the work goes well beyond the anticipated link between quality and logistics. They acknowledged the complexity of the subject and appreciated the effort and clarity shown, expressing interest in exploring the feedback loops in more detail.