BOGOTA – Not only have the crop renovation initiatives led by the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC) created a technologically advanced, productive and young coffee sector capable of facing the challenges posed by plagues and climate variability.
They have also guaranteed Colombia’s position as the world’s leading Arabica coffee producer.
As a result, Colombian coffee production increased 8% during January 2015. Reaching a total of 1.1 million 60 kilo bags, the country’s production was the highest of the past seven years. Similarly, average productivity reached the second highest level of the past fourteen years: 15.4 green coffee bags per hectare.
During the past twelve months (February 2014-January 2015), coffee production increased 11% compared to the 11 million coffee bags produced during the same period of the previous year.
The coffee harvest value reached $219.6 million, meaning a91% increase compared to the $115.23 million of January 2014. These resources fuel the economy of the country’s 590 coffee growing municipalities.
The rise of the coffee harvest value can be attributed to growing productivity and to the 79% increase of the domestic reference price for coffee growers.
The domestic price escalated from $180 per 125 kg load of parchment coffee in January 2014, to $332 in January 2015.
Colombian Coffee Exports Increased 10%
In January 2015, Colombian coffee exports reached the highest volume since 2004 by totaling 1.1 million 60 kilo bags. This meant a 10% increase compared to the 968,000 60 kilo bags exported during January 2014.
During the past twelve months (February 2014 – January 2015), Colombian coffee exports reached 11 million 60 kilo bags, meaning a 12% increase compared to the 9.9 million bags exported during the same period of the previous year.
