BOGOTA, Colombia – Colombia, the world’s leading producer of mild washed Arabica coffee, produced a total of 43 thousand 60 kilo bags in April. This was a 13% increase compared to the 924 thousand bags produced during April 2015.
Between January and April 2016, Colombian coffee production increased 10% by reaching a total of 4.2 million bags.
The increase in production is the result of the coffee crop renovation initiatives led by the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC), which have increased the productivity of Colombian coffee growing and the amount of young crops.
However, the devastation caused by El Niño has led to a drop in Excelso coffee Exports.
During the past twelve months (May 2015-April 2016), production reached nearly 14,6 million 60 kilo bags. This entailed a 17% increase compared to the 12.4 million bags produced during the same previous period.
Café de Colombia Exports Fall 5% in April
Colombian coffee exports decreased 5% in April by reaching a total of 906 thousand 60 kilo bags.
This decline was largely due to the impact of El Niño phenomenon, which has led to the accumulation of lower quality beans in the warehouses of Almacafé.
To give a sense of this, the amount of lower quality beans stored in Almacafé increased 35% between January and April.
Year to date exports reached nearly 4.2 million bags, meaning a 9% increase compared to the 3,9 million bags sold in international markets between January and April 2015.
During the past twelve months (May 2015-April 2016), Colombian coffee exports reached nearly 13.1 million bags.
This was an 18% increase compared to the 11.1 million 60 kilo bags exported during the same previous period.
