Colombian coffee production up by 3 per cent

Colombia, the world's leading producer of mild washed Arabica coffee, produced a total of 14 million 60-kilogram bags during the past 12 months, according to figures from the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC). This represented a 3 per cent increase compared to the 13.6 million bags produced during the same previous period.  Year-to-date production (January – October 2016) reached 11.3 million 60-kilogram bags, meaning a 1 per cent decrease compared to the 11.4 million bags produced between January and October 2015. However, coffee production in October 2016 increased 2 per cent by reaching a total of 1.39 million bags. Roberto Vélez Vallejo, CEO of the 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. Colombian coffee exports increased 6.4 per cent in October, reaching 1.24 million bags. During the past 12 months, coffee exports reached 12.39 million bags. This was a 0.7 per cent decrease compared to the 12.39 million bags exported during the same previous period. Year-to-date exports (January – October 2016) registered a total of 10.1 million 60-kilogram bags, meaning a 3 per cent decrease compared to the 10.4 million bags exported between January and October 2015, the FNC reported.