The National Administrative Department of Statistics of Colombia, known as DANE, said that October exports were 6.35 million metric tonnes, a drop of nearly 25% year on year.

The total also came in 22.7% lower than September, the year’s high, of 8.22Mt.

DANE also said that export sales volumes, free-on-board, were $US555.8 million – down nearly 33% over the comparable period in 2012. It is the lowest value the country has seen in four months.

Year-to-date through the end of October, Colombian exports fell about 7% year-on-year to about 61Mt, and prices were down almost 20% to $5.3 million FOB.

Worker strikes, rebel sabotage and other issues have riddled the country’s coal sector throughout the year, including two walkoffs by the Andean nation’s biggest producers.

In November, Mines and Energy minister Amylkar Acosta announced 2013 coal production would miss the 94Mt goal is had set. It projected approximately 85Mt, a drop from the 89Mt it produced last year.

Colombia’s down year will also have a particularly significant impact on the private sector and the royalty-dependent Colombian government.

Colombian coal shipments account for 12% of the country's total exports, according to national data. In addition to being South America’s largest coal producer, the country is also the fourth-largest coal exporter in the world.