BOGOTA: Colombia will be able to meet its 2011 coffee output target of 9 mln bags despite heavy rains earlier this year that destroyed crops in some areas, the head of the country's growers federation said on Thursday.
Bad weather and a tree renovation program slashed coffee output in 2009 and 2010. Coffee growers forecast this year's output at 9.0 million to 9.5 million 60-kg bags, more than the 8.9 million bags produced last year.
The head of the federation, Luis Genaro Munoz, said that although heavy rains hit some crops during their crucial flowering stage, farmers should still be able to meet at least the lower-end of the target. "There is no doubt the country will produce around 9 million sacks by the end of the year We still think that target can be reached," Munoz told reporters.
The country produced 4.12 million sacks in the first six months of the year, and 4.88 million bags would be needed in the second half to meet the minimum target.
Global coffee traders keep a close eye on Colombia's bean production and a failure to meet output targets could have an effect on global prices.
Colombia is the world's No. 1 producer of high-quality Arabica beans.
Copyright Reuters, 2011
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