Colombian coffee production rises 4.8 per cent

Colombia, the world's leading producer of mild washed Arabica coffee, produced a total of 4.4 million 60-kilogram bags between January and April, a 4.8 per cent increase compared to the 4.2 million bags produced between January and April 2016. As a result of delayed flowerings, coffee production in April dropped 20 per cent by reaching a total 834 thousand 60-kilogram bags. Harvest peaks are, however, expected to arrive starting mid-May. During the last 12 months (May 2016-April 2017), Colombian coffee production reached 14.4 million 60-kilogram bags, a 0.8 per cent fall compared to the 14.5 million bags produced during the same previous period.   So far this crop year (October 2016- April 2017), Colombian coffee production has increased 5.1 per cent by reaching nearly 8.8 million 60-kilogram bags. Year-to-date Colombian coffee exports registered a 4 per cent increase by reaching over 4.4 million 60-kilogram bags. Similarly, coffee exports reached 936 thousand bags in April, a 1 per cent increase compared to April 2016's 931 thousand bags. During the last 12 months (May 2016-April 2017), coffee exports reached 13 million 60-kilogram bags, the same volume registered between May 2015 and April 2016. So far this crop year (October 2016-April 2017), exports rose 9 per cent by reaching over 8.4 million 60-kilogram bags.