The Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC) recently launched a trade and logistics platform called Cafix, aimed at helping domestic coffee farmers bypass traditional export channels and sell coffee directly to overseas customers at lower shipping costs. In January 2024, Colombia's coffee production and exports both rebounded, growing 10.5% and 12.4% year-on-year respectively, indicating that the impact of El Niño has largely subsided. Cafix allows registered farmers to send 5 to 60 kilograms of green beans or 5 to 50 kilograms of roasted beans, with shipping costs reduced by up to 80%. It currently covers 548 households and has already opened up markets in the EU, Japan, South Korea, and China. Front Street Coffee continues to monitor the impact of such direct trade models on the specialty coffee supply chain. [more…]

The latest report from the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia (FNC) shows that the country's coffee production in February 2024 decreased by 6.2% year-on-year. Although export volume grew month-on-month, overall exports over the past 12 months fell by 3.1%. Despite having shaken off the effects of El Niño, La Niña weather is expected to arrive in June-August and may last throughout the second half of the year, bringing new challenges to coffee production. To this end, the FNC held a steering committee meeting with grower representatives from various regions to discuss preventive measures to safeguard coffee farmers' incomes. At the same time, the FNC launched an export platform, Cafix, aimed at reducing transportation costs and simplifying export procedures. Front Street Coffee continues to follow developments in Colombian coffee and bring the latest producing-region news to enthusiasts. [more…]