Inside Colombia's coffee harvest as questions remain around US tariffs | BBC News

Key Concepts

• Colombian Coffee Federation: The organization representing coffee growers in Colombia.
• Arabica Beans: A high-quality coffee bean variety that Colombia is known for.
• 60 Kilo Bags: The standard unit of measurement for coffee production.
• Tariffs: Taxes imposed on imported goods, potentially affecting Colombian coffee exports to the US.
• Green Coffee: Unroasted coffee beans.
• Tinto: A dark, low-quality coffee commonly consumed in Colombia.

Colombian Coffee Production and Exports

• Colombia is the third-largest coffee exporter globally, behind Brazil and Vietnam, and is renowned for its Arabica beans.
• In 2024, Colombia produced over 12 million 60-kilo bags of coffee, with an estimated 93% being exported.
• The Colombian Coffee Federation projects production to exceed 15 million bags this year, marking the highest level in over 30 years.
• The US is Colombia's primary coffee buyer, making potential tariffs a significant concern for the industry.
• One coffee farm mentioned exports both roasted beans and green coffee to the US, highlighting the importance of the American market.

Coffee Farming Practices

• Over 500,000 families in Colombia depend on coffee production for their livelihoods.
• All coffee beans are handpicked due to the mountainous terrain, ensuring the selection of the best cherries and contributing to the smooth, rich flavor.
• The manual picking process is preferred over machines because "they select the best cherries."

Coffee Consumption in Colombia

• Despite being a major coffee producer, many Colombians do not consume the high-quality coffee they export.
• The majority of locals drink "second quality coffee," known as "tinto," which is a dark-colored coffee similar to an Americano or filter coffee.
• Tinto is often heavily sweetened to mask the unpleasant flavors of the lower-quality beans.
• Tinto is affordable and widely available throughout Colombia.
• High-quality beans are primarily exported due to high prices, making them unaffordable for many Colombians.

Economic and Trade Considerations

• The potential imposition of tariffs by the US poses a significant threat to the Colombian coffee industry, given that the US is the largest importer of Colombian coffee.
• The focus on exporting high-quality beans leaves the local population with access only to lower-quality, more affordable options.

Conclusion

Colombia's coffee industry is experiencing a period of high production, but faces challenges related to potential US tariffs and the disparity between export-quality coffee and local consumption habits. While the country is known for its premium Arabica beans, many Colombians consume a lower-grade coffee called "tinto" due to affordability. The industry's reliance on the US market makes it vulnerable to trade policy changes.