Colombia’s coffee output to depend on the weather

David Howells

10/10/2011 12:31:57

Colombian coffee growers have claimed they will be bale to produce 10 million bags of coffee in a year, provided the weather holds out.

Colombia is famous the world over for its coffee production, favoured by many as the country of choice for the beans for their coffee machine.

Now, it seems, the growers will be able to provide plenty of coffee to meet demand - as long as the weather permits, worldcoffeenews.com reports.

The claim was made by chief executive officer of the Colombian Coffee Growers Association, Luis Munoz, who said that in the financial year between 2011 and 2012, the country could easily produce 10 million bags. However, the only thing stopping it would be famed weather front El Nino or its lesser-known relative, La Nina.

El Nino is a climate pattern that occurs over the Pacific Ocean roughly every five years. It warms the surface of the ocean and significantly alters the weather there as a result. La Nina, on the other hand is its opposite; cooling the Pacific water and bringing in low air surface pressure.

Speaking to businessweek.com, Munoz explained: “If the weather is normal, without El Nino or La Nina, Colombia’s production will easily reach 10 million bags.

“We have replanted 80,000 hectares so far this year, 30,000 more than in the same period last year. We have projected to reach 120,000 hectares by the end of this year.”