BOGOTÁ, Colombia – Colombia, the world’s largest producer of mild washed Arabica coffee, maintained its coffee production growth trend during January 2016. However, there is widespread concern about adverse impacts of El Niño event on Colombian coffee production.
In January 2016, coffee production reached a total of 1.14 million 60-kilo bags, a 4% increase compared to production in January 2015. During the past 12 months (February 2015-January 2016), Colombian coffee production reached 14.2 million 60-kilo bags, a 16% increase compared to the same previous period.
Similarly, so far this coffee year (October 2015-January 2016), production reached 5.3 million bags, a 20% increase compared to the 4.4 million 60-kilo bags produced between October 2014 and January 2015.
Worries about El Niño event
As noted by Roberto Vélez, CEO of the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC), “El Niño is striking with greater intensity than was expected.
Despite the registered growth in coffee production, several regions have been severely affected by drought and their harvests present a higher proportion of lower-density beans. Addressing this issue demands joint action and urgent interagency efforts.”
Exports grow 5% in January
Colombian coffee exports lightly surpassed 1.1 million bags in January 2016, a 5% increase compared to the 1 million 58,000 bags exported in January 2015. During the past 12 months, coffee exports totaled 12.8 million 60-kilo bags, a 16% increase compared to the same previous period.
Similarly, so far this coffee year (October 2015-January 2016), coffee exports reached a total of 4.6 million 60-kilo bags, a 12% increase compared to the 4.1 million bags exported between October 2014 and January 2015.
