Coffee exports rise by 9.32% in January-May period

The exports of Coffee has increased by 9.32% in value terms and stood at Rs 2,567 crore during the January-May period this year, according to the data compiled by the Coffee Board. This increase can be attributed to better realization in view of firm global prices. Coffee shipments from India, the world’s fifth biggest exporter, stood at Rs 2,347.92 crore in the corresponding period last year. However, the shipments fell marginally to 159,275 tonnes in volume terms, in January-May of 2014 from 159,295 tonnes in the year-ago period. Global coffee prices have risen by more than 80% during the period - after having dipped sharply last year - on expectation of production fall in the world’s largest coffee producer Brazil. The country exported 43,465 tonnes of Arabica coffee and 73,645 tonnes of Robusta coffee during the January-May of this year. The Arabica shipments rose by 31% from 33,220 tonnes, while Robusta exports dropped by 15% from 86,736 tonnes in the said period. The shipment of instant coffee rose significantly by 91% and stood at 18,875 tonnes in January-May of this year as against 9,850 tonnes in the year-ago. India exports coffee largely to Italy, Germany, Belgium, Jordan, Turkey and Russia, among others. The total domestic output is expected to be in line with the board’s estimate of 311,500 tonnes for 2013-14 crop year (October-September), down by 2.1% from 318,200 tonnes produced in 2012-13.