Coffee exports drop marginally to 3,00,522 tonnes in 2014-15

NEW DELHI: India's coffee exports declined marginally to 3,00,522 tonnes in the 2014-15 marketing year due to multiple factors, including drop in global prices, according to the Coffee Board.

Exports stood at 3,03,250 tonnes in the previous year. The coffee marketing year runs from October to September.

"There was a slight reduction in coffee exports during 2014-15. Many global factors affected trade decisions though there was global demand for Indian coffee varieties," a senior Coffee Board official told PTI.

Although exports showed a slight decline in volume terms, the shipments have risen in value terms to Rs 5,142 crore in the 2014-15 marketing year as against Rs 4,920 crore in the previous year, the Board data showed.

The unit per value realisation rose to Rs 1,71,105 per tonne in 2014-15, compared with Rs 162,255 per tonne in the previous year.

The official said the trade decisions were affected due to high volatility of global coffee prices and fall in currencies of many countries like Brazil, Indonesia and Vietnam as against the US dollar.

There were also concerns about slowing economy in China and other countries and its spillover impact on other economies. Even a weak rupee against the US dollar also affected India's coffee exports, the official added.

India exports both arabica and robusta varieties, besides instant coffee.

Arabica is mild coffee, but the beans being more aromatic, it has higher market value compared to robusta beans. On the other hand, robusta has more strength and is, therefore, used in making various blends.

Major export destinations for India coffee are Italy, Germany, Turkey, Russian Federation and Belgium, among others.

As per the Board's first estimate, the country's total coffee production is pegged at 3,55,600 tonnes in 2015-16 marketing year, as against the actual output of 3,27,000 tonnes in 2014-15.