Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormGreen (unroasted), decaffeinated
Industry PositionProcessed agricultural ingredient
Market
Colombia is a major producer and exporter of Arabica green coffee and has at-origin capacity to decaffeinate green beans for export programs. For decaffeinated green coffee, value addition is concentrated in specialized processing, including a domestic facility offering water and ethyl-acetate-based decaffeination services. The market is export-oriented, with supply shaped by climate variability and pest/disease pressure that can affect flowering, yields, and quality. EU-facing supply chains face deforestation-free and traceability expectations that can become a market-access blocker if documentation is incomplete.
Market RoleMajor producer and exporter (Arabica) with niche at-origin decaffeinated green coffee supply
Market GrowthMixed (medium-term outlook)weather-driven variability with specialty/value-added positioning
SeasonalityTwo distinct peak harvest periods occur in a typical calendar year: a primary harvest (Oct–Dec) and a secondary ‘mitaca’ harvest (Apr–Jun), with some areas having more distributed harvesting.
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighEU market access can be blocked if coffee supply chains cannot support EUDR (Regulation (EU) 2023/1115) due diligence requirements, including geolocation/traceability and legality evidence needed for a due diligence statement.Implement plot-level mapping/geolocation capture, maintain legality documentation, and provide auditable traceability data packages to EU operators/traders for due diligence filings.
Climate MediumHeavy rainfall patterns and climate-cycle shifts can disrupt flowering and reduce production, increasing supply and delivery uncertainty for export programs.Diversify sourcing across producing departments, use forward planning around harvest peaks, and maintain buffer inventory for contracted decaf programs.
Pest And Disease MediumCoffee leaf rust and coffee berry borer remain ongoing agronomic risks; outbreaks or higher prevalence can reduce yields and increase defect risk.Require documented integrated pest management (IPM), monitor local prevalence reports, and prioritize lots from well-managed farms and mills with strong quality controls.
Labor And Social MediumCoffee from Colombia is listed by the U.S. Department of Labor (ILAB) as a good with reason to believe it is produced with child labor, creating reputational and buyer-compliance risk if due diligence is weak.Apply robust social compliance due diligence (supplier codes, third-party audits where appropriate, grievance mechanisms) and prioritize traceable farmer-group supply with remediation pathways.
Documentation Gap MediumExporter registration, export declarations, and (where applicable) phytosanitary certification create documentation checkpoints; inconsistencies can trigger delay, extra inspection, or rejection by buyers/import authorities.Use a shipment-level document checklist aligned to DIAN/FNC/ICA requirements and buyer specs; run pre-shipment reviews and keep digital records linked to lot IDs.
Sustainability- EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) compliance for coffee supply chains serving EU buyers (deforestation-free, legally produced, traceable/geolocated).
- Climate variability (e.g., heavy rains, El Niño/La Niña cycles) affecting flowering and yields, increasing supply uncertainty.
Labor & Social- Child labor risk screening in agricultural coffee supply chains (ILAB TVPRA List includes coffee from Colombia).
- Seasonal labor availability and labor cost pressures can constrain harvesting and affect quality outcomes.
FAQ
What HS code commonly applies to unroasted decaffeinated coffee (green decaf coffee beans)?HS 090112 is used for coffee that is decaffeinated and not roasted (green decaf coffee).
When are Colombia’s main coffee harvest peaks?A typical coffee calendar year has two peak harvest periods: the primary harvest is usually October to December, and the secondary harvest (the ‘mitaca’ crop) is usually April to June.
What Colombia-specific steps matter when exporting coffee?Beyond standard export documentation, coffee exporters must register in the National Register of Coffee Exporters administered by the FNC and use the Coffee Portal workflow for export announcements and coffee-contribution procedures.
What is the biggest EU-facing compliance risk for Colombian coffee supply chains?For EU-bound supply chains, the key risk is failing to meet the EU Deforestation Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2023/1115) due diligence requirements for coffee, including traceability/geolocation and legality evidence needed for a due diligence statement.