Colombian coffee production dropped 28.5% in the first quarter of 2010 compared with the same period in the previous year, according to the National Federation of Coffee Growers (Fedaracafe).
In the first quarter of 2009, 2.5 million bags of coffee were produced, compared with 1.8 million in the same period in 2010, reports El Espectador.
The data released by Fedaracafe shows that although production continues to decline, it is recovering.
January production in 2010 fell by 41% from the year before, while February saw a 26% drop and March an 18% drop.
Exports in March 2010 were 33% lower than the same month the previous year.
Despite the grim statistics, growers are optimistic that “the good behaviour of the blooms, climate and fertilization in late 2009 and early 2010” will provide a good base to work from.
The federation was also encouraged by the growth in both domestic and international coffee prices in the third month of 2010.
In March, Colombia’s National Coffee Fund paid an average of $370 per load of 125 kgs, while in the same period last year the price was $340.