Colombian output up by 8.1% in March

Colombia, the world's leading producer of mild washed Arabica coffee, produced a total of 1.02 million 60-kilogram bags in March, an 8.1 per cent increase compared to the 944,000 bags produced in the same previous month. Year-to-date production reached nearly 3.6 million bags, a 13 per cent increase compared to the nearly 3.2 million bags produced between January and March 2016. Similarly, during the last 12 months (April 2016-March 2017), coffee production increased 1.5 per cent by reaching over 14.6 million 60-kilogram bags. So far this crop year (October 2016-March 2017), Colombian coffee production has increased 8.7 per cent by reaching over 7.9 million 60-kilogram bags. By reaching a total of 1.15 million 60-kilogram bags, Colombian coffee exports increased 5 per cent in March. Year-to-date exports reached nearly 3.5 million bags, a 5 per cent increase compared to the 3.3 million 60-kilogram bags exported in the same previous period. During the last 12 months, coffee exports fell 1 per cent compared to the period April 2015-March 2016 by reaching 13 million bags. So far this crop year (October 2016-March 2017), exports rose 10 per cent by reaching almost 7.5 million 60-kilogram bags.