Colombia Declares Coffee as Its National Beverage
Colombia’s Congress has officially declared coffee as the country’s national beverage, a move that celebrates the emblematic bean while boosting recognition and support for the nation’s coffee producers. The announcement came just as the National Federation of Coffee Growers (FNC) marked its 98th anniversary and the country observed its annual National Coffee Day.
Germán Bahamón, general manager of the FNC, said the new law not only honors the product that has become Colombia’s symbol worldwide but also represents a tangible show of support for more than half a million coffee-farming families. He said the designation is expected to encourage greater domestic consumption and highlight the importance of quality and sustainability in the industry.
Coffee had been long overdue for being Colombia’s National beverage
Currently, Colombians consume about 2.5 kilograms of coffee per person each year, amounting to 2.2 million 60-kilogram bags. With the new law in place, growers and industry leaders hope that figure will continue to rise, driven by emerging ways to enjoy coffee, such as ready-to-drink cans, energy drinks, cold brews, drips, liqueurs, and gatherings like coffee parties that foster community around the drink.
The announcement comes at a time of steady growth for Colombia’s coffee sector. Today, 557,000 families cultivate coffee across more than 838,000 hectares of plantations. The total coffee farm area exceeds 2.8 million hectares nationwide. In 2023, Colombia produced 11.3 million bags of coffee. By April this year, production had already reached 13.9 million bags, with projections of 14.9 million by early 2025.
The country’s coffee farmers continue to modernize and renew crops. Last year, nearly 77,000 hectares were renovated, and 2024 is on track for a record 90,000 hectares. Bahamón noted that 90% of planted areas now use rust-resistant varieties, helping maintain productivity and quality despite environmental threats.
Colombia’s coffee exports are amongst the largest in the world
Colombia’s coffee exports remain strong, with 12.3 million bags shipped abroad so far in 2024. The United States remains the largest destination, accounting for about 40% of exports, followed by Canada, Belgium, Japan, South Korea and China. Colombian coffee now reaches 104 countries worldwide.
Meanwhile, the Federation’s flagship brands and businesses continue to break records. The Juan Valdez chain grew by 551% in 2024, its highest figure yet, while state-owned companies Buencafé and Almacafé posted record profits. The FNC’s assets grew 18% compared to last year, and the organization has launched the first two Regional Industrialization Centers in Huila and Caldas, with plans to expand to 15 in total.
For Bahamón, the new law cements what many Colombians already knew, that coffee is at the heart of the country’s identity. “We have spent decades hearing that our footballers, cyclists, and artists are recognized internationally as ‘los cafeteros.’ “What better news than to see coffee officially declared our national beverage,” he said.