BOGOTA, Colombia – Colombia, the world’s leading producer of mild washed Arabica coffee, produced 901,000 60-kg bags in May, a 22.5% decrease compared to the nearly 1.2 million 60-kg bags produced in May 2016. This fall was the result of the heavy rains of 2017’s first half, which significantly delayed flowerings.
Year-to-date production (January-May 2017) reached 5.3 million 60-kg bags, a 1.1% decrease compared to the nearly 5.4 million 60-kg bags produced in the same previous period.
During the last 12 months (June 2016-May 2017), coffee production decreased 2.6% by reaching 14.2 million 60-kg bags.
So far this coffee year (October 2016-May 2017), Colombian coffee production has increased 1.7% by reaching nearly 9.7 million 60-kg bags.
Colombian Coffee Exports Fall 6% in May
As a result of the civic strike that blocked the port of Buenaventura for 22 days, coffee exports were redirected to the ports of Cartagena and Santa Marta.
Although this partially alleviated the problem, the strike had an impact on Colombian coffee exports, which fell 6% compared to the 891,000 60-kg bags exported in May 2016.
Year-to-date exports (January-May 2017) reached over 5.2 million 60-kg bags, a 2% increase compared to the 5.1 million bags sold in international markets between January and May 2016.
During the last 12 months (June 2016-May 2017), Colombian coffee exports reached over 12.9 million bags, almost the same figure registered between June 2015 and May 2016.
So far this coffee year (October 2016-May 2017), coffee exports increased 7% by reaching over 9.2 million 60-kg bags.
