Only 125,000 bags of Colombian coffee left for domestic consumption in 2021

BOGOTA – While Colombian coffee production closed in 2021 at 1,2577,000 60-kilogram bags, down 9% compared to the 2020 harvest of 1,890,000, Total exports amounted to 1,2452,000 in that period, the National Federation of Coffee Growers (FNC) reported.

The FNC blamed the outcome on “the negative impact of the blockade in the second quarter of the year.” Climate influence in some coffee regions could reduce production.

In the midst of productive decline, Colombia’s domestic coffee consumption could have risen to 2.8 kg per capita in 2021, According to a new study by Reinova.

More: Why, if coffee consumption increases in Colombia, is production less?

Moreover, per capita domestic consumption is expected to rise from 2.7 kg to 3.4 kg in the same period only in the population over 12 years of age.

According to the Federal National Council, “coffee-based beverages amount to 40% of the total beverage consumption, among which are also juices, water, soft drinks, etc.”

To offset lower production and meet domestic demand, Colombia appealed for imports more than ever in 2021.

As reported by this entity, coffee production reached 1,385,000 million bags in December, 21% less compared to 1.7 million bags registered in the same month in 2020.

With regard to exports, they amounted to nearly 12.4 million bags of 60 kilograms at the end of the year. 1% less compared to 12.5 million bags exported in 2020.

The National Coffee Growers Association indicated that in the year of coffee (October-December 2021), coffee exports amounted to 3.3 million 60 kg bags, 9% lower compared to 3.6 million sources in the same previous period.

Colombia’s Coffee Imports Until September It was higher than those recorded during 2019 and 2020, reaching 73,780 tons.

More: Is the price of coffee for farmers fair? The dilemmas behind the work

Colombia, which is considered the third producer of cereals in the world, Paid over $131.5 million in imported coffee as of September, mainly for countries such as Brazil (about US$49 million) and Peru (US$23 million), according to the National Tax and Customs Administration (Dien).

Among the little-known destinations that have bought coffee from Colombia this year are Ecuador, Spain, Italy, Canada, the United States, Australia and, to a lesser extent, Lebanon.

Brazil is becoming stronger as a destination for coffee imports, because while in 2019 Colombia imported 19,870 tons from that destination, as of September it was 28,225 tons.

Ecuadorean coffee has also gained weight in the domestic market, with only 706 tons of coffee imported from this country in 2019 and 1,895 tons already purchased as of September.

In 2019, Colombia spent more than 74 million US dollars on imported coffee, and in 2020, in the midst of the crisis faced by the sector due to the pandemic, it totaled about 101.1 million US dollars.