Image from Vanity Fair – Photographer Mauro González / Netflix Colombian Products Featured in the One Hundred Years of Solitude Series
Discover the Colombian products that played a key role in the One Hundred Years of Solitude series. The country's major industries took the center stage in the Netflix adaptation and now are shining on television screens around the world. From fashion and confectionery to agriculture and filmmaking, these industries are part of this acclaimed production.
1. Yellow flowers
One of the most striking and iconic moments of the series features yellow flowers, a symbol personally chosen by Gabriel García Márquez, who believed they brought good luck.
Flowers are a source of pride for Colombia, representing the country's natural beauty and playing a key role in global celebrations and special occasions. In 2024 alone, Colombia exported USD 2,347.6 million worth of flowers, reinforcing its position as one of the world’s top flower exporters.
Image from Vogue / Netflix – Pedro Arellano 
Vogue Photo / Netflix – Mauro González 2. Bananas of Colombian origin
Bananas appear frequently throughout the series, a nod to Gabriel García Márquez’s favorite fruit, the author of the novel that inspired the series and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. This detail is not just a literary reference; bananas are also one of Colombia’s most important agricultural exports.
In 2024, banana exports reached USD 1,225.4 million, which represented a growth of 33.9% compared to 2023, reaching countries such as the United States, Belgium, United Kingdom, Germany and Italy. This product, deeply rooted in the country’s economy, is now a vital part of the visual storytelling in the series.
3. The confectionery
Úrsula Iguarán, one of the novel’s most iconic characters, delights the people of Macondo with her sweets, bringing Colombian confectionery to life in the series. This industry has also gained international recognition, with exports reaching USD 282.5 million in 2024, which represented a growth of 2.3% over 2023. The presence of traditional sweets in the series highlights Colombia’s rich culinary heritage and its growing role in global markets.
Image from Vogue / Netflix – Mauro González 4. Colombian handicrafts and jewelry
Handicrafts appeared in several ways in the series. Firstly, more than 150 artisans worked on the construction of Macondo during the production, so the country's craft skills appear in every street of the town.
Secondly, the country's goldsmith tradition was present in the hands of Colonel Aureliano Buendía, a skilled goldsmith who created gold fish in the Buendía family's workshop.
Handicrafts are an iconic product of Colombian origin and that is something we can also evidence in exports, since between January and July 2024 they reached USD 4.32 million and registered a 34% growth compared to the same period in 2023.
Discover here what makes Colombian handicrafts so special in One Hundred Years of Solitude.
5. The fashion industry
97% of the textiles used for the production of the series were of Colombian origin. Under the direction of designer Catherine Rodríguez and a team of 60 people, around 40,000 garments were made, carefully adapted to the period in which the story takes place. This industry achieved exports of USD 743 million between January and November 2024, becoming a driving force for the country's economy.
Find out more about the role of Colombian fashion in the series here.
6. Colombia's locations
The locations for filming audiovisual productions in Colombia were the star product that now positions the country as the ideal place for the development of high-budget film projects.
The series was filmed in 22 Colombian municipalities, distributed throughout the country. Among these is Alvarado, in Tolima, where the Macondo that appears in the series was built.
This is thanks to the fact that Colombia has implemented new laws that seek to promote the national territory, benefiting audiovisual companies. These are some of those benefits:
1. Tax incentives: Under Law 1556 of 2012, productions can receive up to a 40% rebate on film service expenses and up to 20% on hotel, transportation, and food costs.
2. Locations: From the stunning landscapes of the Greater Colombian Caribbean to dynamic urban settings and lush natural environments, Colombia provides a versatile backdrop that can replicate various international locations.
Learn about other benefits Colombia offers for filming audiovisual projects in the country, here.
These are some of the products featured in the One Hundred Years of Solitude series. Find out more about this fascinating series with its docuseries or by visiting our platform.
