Colombian coffee exports increased 6.4% in October
The Colombia Coffee Growers Federation announced that Colombian coffee exports increased 6.4% in October 2016, reaching 1.24 million 60-kilo bags, up from 1.17 million bags in October 2015. During the past 12 months (November 2015 – October 2016), coffee exports reached 12.39 million 60-kilo bags. This entailed a 0.7% decrease compared to the 12.39 million bags exported during the year-ago period.
Year to date exports (January – October 2016) registered a total of 10.1 million 60-kilo bags, meaning a 3% decrease compared to the 10.4 million bags exported between January and October 2015.
Production in Colombia in October 2016, the world’s leading producer of mild washed Arabica coffee, increased 2% to 1.39 million 60-kilo bags, up from 1.36 million bags in October 2015. During the past twelve months (November 2015 – October 2016), Colombia produced a total of 14 million 60-kilo bags, representing a 3% increase compared to the 13.6 million bags produced during the prior-year period.
Year to date production (January – October 2016) reached 11.3 million 60-kilo bags, a 1% decrease compared to the 11.4 million bags produced in the year-ago period.
Roberto Vélez Vallejo, CEO of the Bogotá-based Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC), encouraged coffee growers to take advantage of current production levels and international coffee prices in order to plan for the future. He noted that current prices are offsetting 2016’s first semester’s losses.