Colombian earthquake damages road essential for transporting 60 percent of country’s coffee exports
The earthquake’s epicentre was near major coffee-growing regions, which are strategically important to Colombia, the world’s third-largest coffee producer and a leading supplier of high-quality mild-washed Arabica beans used by major coffee brands such as Starbucks
LIMA, August 14, 2026 — Colombia has been hit by a significant 7.4-magnitude earthquake that has severely affected the country’s coffee production and export infrastructure, particularly a road essential for transporting roughly 60 percent of the nation’s coffee exports.
The earthquake’s epicentre was near major coffee-growing regions, which are strategically important to Colombia, the world’s third-largest coffee producer and a leading supplier of high-quality mild-washed Arabica beans used by major coffee brands such as Starbucks.
According to Oliver Broster, a senior manager for coffee analysis at Expana, the full extent of the damage is still being assessed. However, the National Federation of Coffee Growers has reported disruptions at the Pacific port of Buenaventura, the country’s main transit point for coffee exports.
Operations at the port were temporarily suspended for inspections, while landslides have blocked access to parts of the region. Exports are reportedly continuing through Caribbean ports, although the extent of the damage to roads, coffee mills and other critical infrastructure remains unclear.
The market has reacted strongly, with Arabica futures rising by about 30 percent since early June, driven partly by concerns over El Niño, which typically brings adverse weather conditions to coffee-growing areas.
On Tuesday, Arabica futures reached a peak of US$ 3.26 per pound before retreating as traders reassessed the potential impact of the earthquake on Colombian coffee supplies. Agricultural commodities expert Kona Haque highlighted the vulnerability of global Arabica inventories, particularly given Colombia’s importance as a major producer of mild-washed coffees. Any significant disruption to Colombian supplies is therefore likely to have a pronounced impact on the market.
Meanwhile, coffee producers are already preparing for a potentially strong El Niño event, which could bring significant changes in temperatures and rainfall across coffee-growing regions worldwide and contribute to further price volatility.
Germán Bahamón, head of Colombia’s coffee federation, has said that while a short and moderate El Niño could support production, a prolonged and severe event could cause substantial damage to coffee crops in Colombia, as well as in Brazil and Vietnam, potentially placing further pressure on global supplies.
Colombia’s coffee production is expected to decline this year to about 12.8 million 60kg bags, down from 14.8 million bags the previous year. The 2025 harvest was the country’s largest in 33 years.
The expected decline highlights the challenges facing Colombia’s coffee sector as producers seek to maintain the country’s reputation for high-quality speciality Arabica coffee, particularly from its high-altitude growing regions, amid mounting weather and infrastructure risks.
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