Coffee: Colombian Black Gold

Coffee is the most consumed beverage in the world, after water, and, after oil, the most treated raw material in the financial markets. Colombia is one of its biggest producers in the world. The techniques used in its production and distribution are at the forefront and have evolved over the years, with the product being then exported all over the world. There are many regions where coffee is produced, in particular in the Zona Cafetera, an area that includes the regions of Tolima, Risaralda, Caldas and Quindío. The methods used to grow this plant are varied, and each Finca has its own production systems. In Colombia it is used to grow coffee without the use of shade. This helps to have larger plantations. Due to climate change, some producers have changed their cultivation and production techniques, returning to more traditional techniques to adapt to the climate. It is no longer possible to predict the heat and precipitation, and therefore the plants risk burning. The type of cultivation with the shadow also helps to face some main problems due to the cultivation of coffee and its great demand: deforestation and the loss of biodiversity. With the return to shadow cultivation, all plants can coexist. However, shadow cultivation becomes more complicated to use for larger Fincas. About 80% of the first quality coffee is exported abroad, due to the high price that makes Colombians choose a second quality coffee but cheaper. The product is exported mainly to Europe and North America, but also to Asia. Harvesting takes place at various times of the year, changing from area to area. Only red berries are harvested, considered ripe enough to be used to prepare a good coffee with an excellent aroma. Many of the pickers roam the Fincas across the country, working in each for several weeks, before moving to a new one where the coffee is ready to be picked.  Coffee must then be distributed. There are many cooperatives that work in the distribution of the products of the various growers. All the coffee production and distribution of the many Fincas are managed by the Colombian Coffee Federation, based in Bogota. The Federation procures permits to growers to regulate the production and distribution of coffee. Over the years, coffee has become a traditional product in Colombia. Its consumption is very high and is likely to increase, as well as its value, which is why it is also called black gold. Its producers use increasingly innovative cultivation techniques, placing on the market an increasingly quality product. With current problems, such as climate change and deforestation, the Fincas are using increasingly environmentally sustainable methods in its cultivation, with the return to more traditional techniques, so that this plant can have a lower environmental impact while satisfying its many consumers.