BOGOTA, Colombia – Colombia, the biggest producer in the world of mild washed arabica coffee, had a record production of 14.2 million kilos bags in 2015, the highest in the last 23 years. In December 2015, the coffee crop grew 34% to 1.4 million bags, the highest in that month in the last 20 years.
“This is excellent news for all Colombian coffee growers and the result of the joint efforts of the coffee growers and the government, who were able to renew the national coffee growing industry and reposition Colombia as a main player in the international market”, said Roberto Velez Vallejo, CEO of the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia.
Mr. Velez also reached out to all Colombian coffee growers to encourage them to continue their good agricultural practices to face the effects of the El Niño phenomenon that could increase the level of coffee borer, which spreads easier during dry weather.
Coffee exports surpass 12.7 million bags
In lines with production, the export of Colombian Coffee sustains high levels of growth. During 2015, external sales surpassed 12.7 million bags of 60 kilos, which represents 16% more in comparison with 10.9 million of bags exported the previous year.
In December 1.2 million of Colombian coffee bags were exported, which is 13% more than the 1.1 million bags placed in the international market in December 2014.
So far this crop year, 3.5 million bags were exported, 14% above the 3 million bags that were sold at the same period the previous year.
