Arabica leaves a bitter taste for Coffee growers

KOCHI: The declining production of arabica coffee may not be limited to India going by a recent USDA report. Global arabica production is expected to decline second consecutive year while robusta continues to rise, it said. Arabica's share of world coffee production, estimated at 149.8 million bags of 60 kg each in 201415, fell to 55 per cent from 62 per cent four years earlier.

Arabica fetches higher prices but is more susceptible to pests and weather irregularities than robusta. According to Indian growers, the country's arabica output may be among the worst in recent times. The Coffee Board's latest review of the post-monsoon estimate of coffee for 2014-15 has cut the output figure by 6 per cent from its earlier post-blossom survey to 99,600 tonne. However, growers estimate 65,000 to 75,000 tonne. The board has cut the robusta output estimate by 3 per cent to 231,400 tonne.

“Nearly half the arabica harvest is completed in India. Changes in weather and white stem borer attack have led to a lower crop.The earlier dry weather and the unprecedented rains have adversely affected the crop,'' said K Kurian, chairman, Karnataka Planters' Association.