The agency, also known as Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística (DANE), said coal exports were down 75.6% in the third month of the year – with a temporary suspension of export shipping for significant player Drummond and labor disputes playing a role in the result.

The value of oil exports fell more than 9% year-on-year in March, despite an increase in volume of more than 5%.

Government officials said recently that Colombia’s economic growth in 2012 was 4%, down from 6.6% in 2011.

DANE is forecasting economic growth of 4.8% this year; the country’s Central Bank, meanwhile, has estimated an expansion of 4.3%.

Last month, Ministry of Mining director Javier Garcia said that the hurting Andean nation is now eyeing 2013 total coal production of 94 million metric tons, down from its initial projection of 97 million metric tons.

Production figures have taken a downward turn over the last few years. President Juan Manuel Santos, who came into his seat in 2010, initially estimated 2013 output of 100Mt and 114Mt next year.

Colombia is the world's fourth-largest coal exporter.