Colombia coffee exports resume following earthquake

Coffee export operations in Colombia have resumed following a 7.4 magnitude earthquake that recently impacted the country. The Federación Nacional de Cafeteros (FNC) confirmed that the Port of Buenaventura, which handles approximately 60% of Colombian coffee exports, has returned to normal operations after three days of preventive infrastructure inspections. While the Buga-Buenaventura road remains under restricted access, shipments continue through both Pacific and Caribbean terminals, including Cartagena and Santa Marta.

Global coffee markets are navigating volatility due to these supply disruptions and dwindling ICE-certified Arabica stocks, which recently hit their lowest levels since late 2023. Additional market pressures include favorable harvest conditions in Brazil and the potential for a strong El Niño event, which could impact future crops by bringing drier conditions to equatorial regions.

Despite rising prices, consumer demand remains resilient. In Colombia, coffee sales grew by 29.8% over the last year, while the U.S. market saw a 13% increase in value. Analysts note that while a surplus is projected for the 2026/27 harvest, the primary challenge remains rebuilding global inventories lost during periods of high demand.