Colombia

Colombia’s coffee crop is expected to drop by 30% in 2009 and output is not expected to recover until at least 2011, according to Mauricio Bernal of the Association of Colombian coffee national

Estimates place this year’s crop at between 8 to 9 million bags, down from 11.5 million bags in 2008.

"Colombia does not have a good coffee harvest" Bernal is quoted as saying.

Heavy rains in Brazil and Colombia have hit production and supplies have been compromised, leading to a 24% increase in prices paid.

The premium paid for Columbian coffee by traders has more than doubled in 2009 as exports were affected by the heavy rain.