BOGOTA – Colombia, the world´s number one supplier of mild washed Arabica coffee, registered a 28% coffee production increase during the first quarter of 2014.
With more than 2.7 million 60 kilo bags, this period´s coffee production has been the highest since the first quarter of 2008. This positive outcome was the result of crop renovation with resistant varieties that have a higher production potential combined with normal weather conditions.
In March 2014, coffee production reached a total of 828,000 60 kilo coffee bags, meaning a 34% increase compared to the 617,000 60 kilo bags produced during the same period last year.
Additionally, during the past twelve months (April 2013-March 2014), coffee production reached more than 11.4 million 60 kilo bags. This means a 40% increase compared to the 8.1 million bags produced between April 2012 and March 2013.
According to Luis G. Muñoz, CEO of the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation, “Productive reconversion and productivity increase initiatives have been crucial for recovering our historic production levels in a context of climate change and variability.”
Exports on the rise
Colombian coffee exports have also increased significantly. During the first quarter of 2014 they reached more than 2.8 million 60 kilo bags, meaning a 35% increase compared to the 2.1 million coffee bags exported during the same period last year.
In March 2014, coffee exports reached 928,000 60 kilo bags. This means a 37% increase compared to the 677,000 bags sold in international markets during March 2013. Additionally, in the past twelve months (April 2013-March 2014) Colombian coffee exports increased 37% by reaching a total of 10.4 million 60 kilo bags.
Source: FNC
