Coffee production in Colombia fell 1% in 2012

Coffee production in Colombia had a strong increase in December, but the total produced by the country in 2012 was lower than the previous year. The reason was the weather unfavourable for crops and plantation renewal program that was slow to generate results.
Last month, Colombia produced 904,000 60-kilogram bags, up 23% from the 735,000 bags of December 2011, according to data released by the National Federation of Coffee Growers (Fedecafe). In 2012, the Colombian production totalled 7.74 million bags, down 1% from the total harvested a year earlier.
With regard to exports, shipments in December totalled 829,000 sacks, 3% decrease compared to the same month of 2011. External sales in 2012 totalled 7.21 million bags, 7% lower than exported the year before.
The Fedecafe said it expects to increase production in 2013, because the program of renewal of plantations should continue to improve the quality of harvested coffee. According to the Federation, farmers also plan to reduce production costs through technology.
Source: Revista Globo Rural