BOGOTA – Colombia ’s coffee production dropped 14% in April to 832,000 bags, down from 970,000 bags harvested during the same month in 2013, according to figures release yesterday by the National Federation of Coffee Growers (FNC).
Total production over the past 12 months is still up 32% on year. In fact, Colombia collected 11.3 million bags between May 2013 and April this year, compared to the 8.5 million bags from the same period last year.
Production has increased 15% to 3.5 million bags this year, up from 3.1 million bags recorded during first four months of 2013.
According to the FNC, the increase in coffee production, along with this year’s recovery in international coffee prices has led to a significant increase in the value of the crop.
According to the FNC, in terms of export values over the past year, there has been a 35% increase — up to 10.5 million bags while the value rose by 10% to $2.3 million.
“This positive outcome was the result of crop renovation with resistant varieties that have a higher production potential combined with normal weather conditions,” the FNC said in a statement.
Second week of agricultural strike
Strikes and protests across Colombia have entered into their second week as more rural organisations come out onto the streets to demand compliance with promises made by the government in negotiations initiated after strikes in the summer of 2013.
The so called Dignidades who are representing coffee, potato, dairy, rice and sugar farmers have been on strike since 28 April and have been joined since 1 may by representatives from the Agrarian Summit, a coalition of numerous agricultural organisations including the Patriotic March, the People’s Congress, and the National Indigenous Organisation of Colombia.
Sources: Colombia Reports, Justice for Colombia
