BOGOTA, Colombia – El Niño phenomenon and the recent transport strike took a toll on Colombian coffee production and exports during July.
Although the adverse effects of El Niño had been experienced in previous months, July’s production dropped even further as a result of the difficulty originated by the transport strike to reach collection centers.
A total of 102 thousand 60 kilo bags were produced during July, meaning a 25% decrease compared to the 463 thousand bags produced in July 2015.
Year to date exports (January-July 2016) reached 7.6 million 60 kilo bags. This entailed a 1% decrease compared to the 7.7 million bags produced during the same previous period.
Nonetheless, total coffee production during the past twelve months (August 2015-July 2016) increased significantly.
Between August 2015 and July 2016, coffee production reached more than 14.1 million 60 kilo bags, meaning an 8% increase compared to the 13.1 million bags produced between August 2014 and July 2015.
Exports down 60%
During the past twelve months (August 2015-July 2016), Colombian coffee exports increased 3% by reaching nearly 12.2 million 60 kilo bags.
Exports during July, however, where severely hampered by the transport strike.
Total coffee exports reached a total of 483 thousand 60 kilo bags, entailing a 60% decrease compared to the 1.2 million registered in July 2015.
Year to date coffee exports also dropped. Between January and July 2016, coffee exports decreased 7% compared to the 7 million 60 kilo bags exported during the same previous period.
