BOGOTA, Colombia – As a result of the coffee crop renovation initiatives implemented during the past five years, Colombia´s total number of young and technologically advanced plantations increased and the total coffee bags produced per hectare rose significantly in 2013.
While in 2012, the country produced an average of 11.1 green 60 kilo coffee bags per productive hectare, by the end of 2013 Colombia´s 772 thousand productive hectares generated an average yield of 14.1 green coffee bags.
Colombia´s productivity figures in 2013 reposition the country as the world´s third coffee producing country after Brazil and Vietnam.
In response to La Niña phenomenon, Colombia launched a productive reconversion program, which has renovated more than 2.800 million coffee trees since 2008.
Not only has the initiative reduced the average age of coffee plantations, but it has also optimized farm use by increasing plant density 8%.
During 2013, the amount of coffee leaf rust and coffee berry borer decreased from 33% to 4% and from 8% to 2% respectively. Additionally, the total number of coffee plantations that are now resistant to coffee rust and better prepared for climate change increased from 30% to 60%.
“The 10.9 million bags produced in 2013 reveal that coffee productivity is reaching Colombia´s historic levels” according to Luis G. Muñoz, CEO of the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC). “Colombia´s productive infrastructure is now better prepared than that of other mild coffee producing countries to face the complexities of current prices.”
Nearly 200 thousand hectares renovated in the past two years have not yet started their productive cycle.
Therefore, productivity in Colombian coffee plantations will continue to rise in upcoming years. “We will witness an increase in productivity that will make Colombia a world leader in coffee production and productivity,” concluded Muñoz.
Source: FNC Press
