EP1674 Part 4 of 5 | What Colombia’s Earthquake Could Mean for Coffee Exports (Ana Donneys + Angel Barrera) Map It Forward
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Episode Description
PLEASE SUPPORT EARTHQUAKE RELIEF IN COLOMBIA
Zona J Foundation / IWCA support initiative:
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/zonajnet
Colombian Red Cross - Emergency Colombia Earthquake: https://ayuda.cruzrojacolombiana.org/emergencia-colombia-terremoto#afrus-container
This is episode 4 of a 5-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Lee Safar, examining the impact of the August 10, 2026 earthquakes in Colombia with Ana Maria Donneys of Cafe Primitivo and Angel Barrera of Belco.
In this episode, the conversation turns to what the earthquake could mean for Colombian coffee exports.
Angel explains that while coffee continues to move, the consequences of the earthquake extend well beyond the immediate damage. Pereira lost a major transport connection when its airport was badly affected, tourism and local economic activity slowed, labour has been redirected toward reconstruction, and truck availability has tightened as vehicles are used to move humanitarian assistance.
At the same time, Colombia is preparing for El Niño.
Ana explains that resources originally intended to help farms prepare for drought and difficult growing conditions are now being redirected toward rebuilding roofs, wet mills, roads and processing infrastructure.
That creates a second problem.
Colombia is globally known for washed coffee, but some areas are already experiencing water rationing. If water availability worsens, producers could face difficulties processing coffee in the way their farms and markets have traditionally required.
Angel explains why simply switching the country to natural processing is not straightforward. Colombia’s production systems, quality controls and export structures have been built around washed coffee for decades.
The bigger risk may therefore be quality and future production.
Ana describes the combination producers are now facing: damaged processing infrastructure, water shortages, possible electricity constraints, high temperatures, currency pressure and the possibility of a greater percentage of coffee developing defects that reduce its export value.
The earthquake itself lasted minutes. Its impact on Colombian coffee could extend through 2026 and well into 2027.
Connect with Angel Barrera and Belco:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/angel-barrera-8a0b2236/
https://www.instagram.com/koliafobiano/
https://www.instagram.com/belco.coffee/
Connect with Ana Maria Donneys and Cafe Primitivo:
https://www.instagram.com/cafeprimitivo/
https://www.instagram.com/anadonneys/