Global coffee exports up 4.3% in February

NEW DELHI: Global coffee exports rose 4.3 per cent to 9 million bags in February this year on sharp increase in shipments from Vietnam, buoyed by higher prices, according to the International Coffee Organisation (ICO).

Worldwide coffee exports stood at 8.62 million bags in the same period last year. One bag contains 60 kg of coffee.

"It is particularly notable that estimated exports from Vietnam increased significantly in February, up by 28.2 per cent to 2 million bags, which can presumably be attributed to the increased prices," ICO said in its latest report.

Global coffee prices have firmed up and are volatile due to the ongoing uncertainty about coffee crop in Brazil, it said.

However, total shipments from Vietnam -- the world's second biggest exporter -- in the first five months of the ongoing 2013-14 marketing year starting October, are still estimated lower at 7.3 million bags, compared to 9.2 million bags in the same period of previous year, it added.

Besides Vietnam, the shipments from Brazil -- the world's leading producer and exporter -- rose to 2.7 million bags in February, from 2.2 million bags in the year-ago period.

However, the shipments from Indonesia -- the world's third biggest exporter -- declined to 0.23 million bags from 0.71 million bags in the review period.

Similarly, coffee exports from India fell to 0.56 million bags in February this year from 0.59 million bags in the same month last year.

According to ICO, total exports of arabica varieties -- Other Milds, Colombian Milds and Brazilian Naturals -- rose to 5.7 million bags in February this year, from 5.4 million bags in the year-ago period.

Export of robusta coffee declined marginally to 3.25 million bags from 3.16 million bags in the review period.

Last year, world coffee production rose 9.8 per cent to 145.24 million bags.