BOGOTA, Colombia – Despite the negative impact that El Niño phenomenon and the recent transport strike have had on Colombian coffee production and exports, coffee production increased significantly during the past twelve months.
Total production reached 14 million 60 kilo green coffee bags between September 2015 and August 2016, representing a 6% increase compared to the same previous period.
However, year to date coffee production (January-August) and August 2016’s production both declined. While between January and August 2015 coffee production reached 8.97 million 60 kilo bags, production between January and August 2016 registered a total of 8.83 million bags.
Similarly, coffee production in August 2016 reached 1.18 million 60 kilo bags, representing a 6% decrease compared to the 1.264 million produced in August 2015.
Colombian coffee exports up 3 percent
Coffee exports also increased significantly during the past twelve months. Between September 2015 and August 2016, exports increased 3% by reaching a total of 12.4 million 60 kilo bags. However, year to date exports fell 4% by registering a total of 7.8 million bags.
Exports also increased in August 2016. By reaching a total of 1.2 million bags, coffee exports increased 16% compared to August 2015. Note that this increase can be attributed to the transport strike, as it delayed the arrival of coffee bags to export ports during July.
