Colombian coffee production grows 15 per cent in nine months

In the last twelve consecutive months 9 million 60 kilo coffee bags were produced in colombia, 18 per cent more compared to the 7,6 million bags produced in the same period last year, according to the Colombian Coffee Growers Association (FNC). While production in the first nine months of the current coffee year increased 15 per cent compared to the 6.2 million bags produced in the same period last year, year to date production has grown 2 per cent and reached 4.1 million bags compared to the 4 million produced in the first six months of 2010. Due to la Niña effect and the rains that brought to Colombia during the flowering season of last year, coffee production in June decreased 40 per cent reaching 471,000 bags, compared to the 780,000 60 kilo bags produced in June 1010. The FNC also reported how its tree renovation programs were advancing. The program that targets smaller coffee growers showed that by the end of June 2011 a total of 47,431 hectares have been renovated. In the first six months of the current year, coffee hectare renewal grew 56 per cent compared to last year. In the last 12 months coffee exports have increased 20 per cent reaching 8.5 million bags compared to the 7,0 million in the same period last year. Year to date exports in the current coffee year increased 23 per cent and reached 6.7 million 60 kilo bags, compared to the 5.5 million bags sold in the first nine months of 2010’s crop season. Year to date exports have grown 18 per cent reaching 4.2 million bags compared to the 3.5 million 60 kilo bags sold in last year’s first six months. Exports in June 2011 reached 572,000 60 kilo bags decreasing 12 per cent, compared to last June’s 648,000 bags.