How Much Coffee Does Colombia Export To The US?

Colombia exported about $1.41 billion worth of coffee to the United States in 2024, making the U.S. its single largest market by a wide margin.

You probably know Colombia for its rich café culture — walk into any shop in Bogotá and locals are sipping tinto all day. But despite that deep homegrown love for coffee, the vast majority of Colombian beans head somewhere else: the United States.

The numbers are striking. In 2024, Colombia exported $3.6 billion in coffee globally, and $1.41 billion of that — roughly 39 percent — came to the U.S., making it the top destination by a wide margin, according to figures from the OEC and UN COMTRADE. Those shipments accounted for about 27 percent of all unroasted coffee the U.S. imported that year.

The Numbers: How Much Coffee Colombia Ships To The U.S.

The headline figure is clear: Colombia remains the fourth-largest coffee exporter in the world, holding about 7 percent of the global market. Most of those beans are high-quality Arabica, and the U.S. is by far the biggest buyer.

In 2024, Colombia exported roughly 13.4 million 60-kilogram bags of coffee, according to a USDA Foreign Agricultural Service report. The United States took more than 40 percent of that volume. By value, these purchases climbed to $1.41 billion, based on OEC and U.S. trade data.

For context, Colombian coffee represented about 27 percent of all unroasted coffee the U.S. imported by value in 2023, second only to Brazil at 35 percent. Brazil exports more by total volume, but Colombia punches well above its weight in premium Arabica beans.

Why The United States Dominates Colombia’s Coffee Trade

Colombia doesn’t have a single other customer that even comes close to the U.S. in volume or value. Germany, Japan, and Belgium import Colombian coffee too, but their combined purchases don’t match the American appetite.

• Trade agreement advantages: The U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (TPA) eliminated tariffs on most goods, including coffee, making Colombian beans price-competitive against other origins.
• Logistical proximity: Colombia’s Pacific and Caribbean ports are close to U.S. Gulf and East Coast ports, reducing shipping time and costs compared to African or Asian origins.
• Consumer preference for Colombian origin: U.S. consumers widely recognize Colombian coffee as high-quality, and many roasters market it as a single-origin choice.
• Large U.S. coffee market: The U.S. consumes more coffee than any single country, creating enormous demand for steady supplies like Colombia’s.
• Stable production: Colombia produces coffee year-round due to its varied geography, providing reliable monthly shipments compared to seasonal producers.

These factors combined mean the U.S. takes roughly 40 percent of Colombia’s annual export volume. No other country comes close, and the relationship is reinforced by decades of trade and cultural ties.

What The Latest USDA Reports Show

The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service publishes semi-annual updates on Colombian coffee. The latest semi-annual report for December 2025 expects Colombia to export 13.4 million 60-kilogram bags in the 2024/2025 marketing year, a healthy figure. You can find those projections in the USDA’s 13.4 Million Bags Expected document, which also details inventory levels and consumption trends.

Looking further ahead, the same report forecasts a production dip in 2025/2026 to 12.5 million bags, a drop of about 5.3 percent. This is attributed to weather patterns and the cyclical nature of coffee yields. Even so, the U.S. share of exports is expected to remain above 40 percent.

Beyond the headlines, Colombia’s coffee industry is heavily export-oriented. In recent years, roughly 92 percent of its production has been shipped overseas, with the U.S. taking the largest share. That leaves a relatively small amount for domestic consumption, despite the country’s famous café culture.

What Factors Influence Yearly Export Numbers

Year-to-year fluctuations in Colombian coffee exports to the U.S. are normal. While the long-term trend is upward, several variables can nudge the numbers up or down in any given season.

1. Weather and crop diseases: Coffee rust and adverse weather can reduce yields, as seen in the forecast drop for 2025/2026.
2. International coffee prices: The C-price benchmark affects profitability for growers and can influence export volumes.
3. Shipping and logistics costs: Port disruptions or increased freight costs can temporarily slow shipments.
4. Competition from other origins: Brazil and Vietnam also supply the U.S. market, and their crop cycles can shift Colombia’s market share.

Despite these factors, the U.S. has remained Colombia’s top coffee customer for decades. The geographic closeness and trade agreement help buffer against global swings, keeping the relationship stable over time.

How Colombia Compares in the Wider U.S. Import Picture

Colombian coffee doesn’t exist in isolation. The U.S. imported $8.8 billion worth of coffee in 2024, and Colombia was the second-largest supplier by value at about 27 percent of the total, behind Brazil at 35 percent. Together, Brazil and Colombia, along with Switzerland as a major re-exporter, accounted for over half of all U.S. coffee imports, according to USAFacts.

Within the broader U.S.-Colombia trade relationship, coffee is a major but not overwhelming component. In 2025, total U.S. goods imports from Colombia reached $17.8 billion, meaning coffee made up roughly 9 percent of that figure, based on DANE data. Per the $17.8 Billion Total Imports page from the U.S. Trade Representative, crude oil, gold, and cut flowers round out much of the rest.

Other key Colombian exports to the U.S. include crude oil, gold, and cut flowers. Coffee remains the most famous product, but it’s part of a much larger, diversified trade relationship that benefits both economies.

The Bottom Line

Colombia exported roughly $1.41 billion in coffee to the United States in 2024, making the U.S. its largest market by a wide margin. That amounted to about 39 percent of Colombia’s total coffee revenue and 27 percent of all unroasted coffee the U.S. imported. With an expected 13.4 million bags shipped in 2024/2025, Colombia remains a critical supplier for American coffee drinkers.

For the most current trade numbers, the USDA and the U.S. Trade Representative publish updated reports each quarter. If you need specific import data for business planning, those agencies are the best place to start.