Coffee production may drop this year: Government

NEW DELHI: Coffee production in the country is expected to decline this year due to heavy rains, Parliament was informed today.

"Yes, Sir," Minister of State for Commerce and Industry E M Sudarsana Natchiappan said in a written reply to a question whether it is a fact that the United Planters Association of Southern India has stated that there will be a drop in coffee production this year.

"There is likely to be a drop in coffee production this year. The initial condition of the crop was very good and the production at the post blossom was estimated to be 3,47,000 tonne.

"However, immediately after the blossom, coffee areas witnessed a long drought period during April-May 2013 which resulted in heavy proliferation of white stem borer causing considerable loss to Arabica plants," he informed the Rajya Sabha.

The dry period was followed by monsoon with unusually heavy and continuous rains from June to August 2013, he said.

"Heavy rains resulted in diseases like black rot, stock rot and berry drop due to wet conditions. Continuous rains did not even allow carrying out of routine cultural operations necessary to protect coffee plants," he added.

The minister said that rainy and cloudy weather is continuing even now affecting photosynthesis and regular development of the plants.

"The actual loss due to drought and subsequent heavy rainfall is being assessed," Natchiappan said.

India's shipments are also expected to be affected because of dip in output. According to the estimates of Coffee Board of India, coffee production would be 5.7 million bags for 2013-14.