On International Coffee Day, October 1, the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia (FNC) announced a historic milestone: the country’s coffee exports over the past year exceeded US$5.4 billion, marking the highest value ever recorded by the organization.
According to Germán Bahamón, General Manager of the FNC, the coffee sector continues to be a cornerstone of Colombia’s economy. “The value of the harvest across 610 coffee-producing municipalities reached COP 22 trillion in the last twelve months, making it the most significant non-mining contributor to the national economy,” he emphasized.
Production Growth in 2024–2025
Colombia, the world’s third-largest coffee producer after Brazil and Vietnam, has seen strong growth in production. In August 2025, output increased by 19% year-on-year, reaching 1.2 million 60-kilogram bags compared to 1.0 million a year earlier.
Between January and August 2025, production rose 10% to 8.8 million bags, up from 8.0 million in the same period of 2024. By the end of 2024, total production reached nearly 14 million bags, with December alone recording a 47% increase versus December 2023. Exports followed a similar trend, climbing 16% year-on-year in December to 12,301 bags.
Key Export Markets
Colombian coffee reaches more than 120 countries worldwide. The United States remains the largest market, accounting for 38% of exports, followed by Germany and Canada (8% each), Belgium (7%), Japan (5%), South Korea (4%), and China (3%). Other notable destinations include Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and Italy, each with 2%.
The FNC highlighted that “the Café de Colombia seal remains a global symbol of quality, trust, and credibility”, a reputation built over nearly a century.
Coffee Consumption in Colombia
Domestic consumption also remains strong. A study by Worldpanel by Numerator shows that nine out of ten Colombian households purchase roasted or soluble coffee, with 83% of consumers drinking it weekly. On average, Colombians enjoy six cups per week, with consumption peaking at breakfast (52.1%), followed by early mornings before meals (19.3%), and dinner (12.7%).
Consumption patterns also reveal demographic insights: 55% of consumers are women, and although older generations dominate, younger Colombians increasingly incorporate coffee into their routines, whether before work or exercise.
Challenges Facing Coffee Growers
Despite positive export and consumption trends, Colombian coffee farmers face mounting challenges, particularly from climate change. Extreme weather events—from droughts to floods—threaten harvests and increase financial risks.
To address these vulnerabilities, parametric insurance products have been introduced, offering payouts triggered by measurable weather events. In addition, financial institutions like Davivienda have created a “coffee ecosystem,” now active in 389 municipalities, supporting over 135,000 farmers through services such as the Coffee Grower ID, Coffee Credit Card, and Coffee Family Card.
A Global Celebration of Coffee
The announcement coincides with International Coffee Day, established in 2015 by the International Coffee Organization (ICO) during Expo Milan. The initiative not only celebrates coffee’s aroma and taste but also highlights the hard work of growers, the industry’s sustainability challenges, and the social impact of coffee worldwide.
With record-breaking exports, rising production, and growing international demand, Colombia reaffirms its position as one of the world’s coffee leaders—while simultaneously navigating the challenges of climate change and market adaptation.
