The Hindu Business Line : Coffee output likely to top 3 lakh tonnes

A good robusta crop is likely to help coffee production recover during 2006-07 season beginning October and could top three lakh tonnes after four years.

"The post-blossom estimate of the crop has estimated the production to be around three lakh tonnes. But this could come down a bit during post-monsoon. Initial estimates show a good recovery in robusta crop," said industry sources.

According to Mr Ramesh Rajah, President, Coffee Exporters Association of India, the crop looks good and production could be at least 2.9 lakh tonnes. "Robusta is looking good, while there is some recover in arabica," he said.

Mr Bose Mandanna, a grower and former Coffee Board Vice-Chairman, said robusta crop had gained from timely pre-monsoon showers. Also, the crop in plantations with irrigation facilities would be good, while the situation with regard to plantation depending on rains would have to watched, he said.

First time ever

According to sources, coffee production could top three lakh tonnes with arabica output put at 1.03 lakh tonnes and robusta 1.96 lakh tonnes. This is the first time since 2001-02 that the production is expected to touch three lakh tonnes.

This is against the current season's projected output of 2.82 lakh tonnes (98,550 tonnes arabica and 1.83 lakh tonnes robusta). Last year, initially production was pegged at 2.94 lakh tonnes in the post-blossom estimate but incidences of white stem borer and heavy rainfall took a toll on arabica.

Planters skeptical

Though arabica is expected to recover, it would be some 300 tonnes more than the production witnessed during 2004-05.

"Even in robusta, some planters are skeptical. There are growers who had estimated to harvest 400 bags (of 50 kg) after the pre-monsoon showers but now feel they would be harvesting only 250 bags," said a plantation source. However, the white stem borer menace continues to bug arabica crop. "There has been heavy loss of plants due to the white stem borer," said Mr Mandanna. "It will surely affect arabica production to some extent," he said.

Meanwhile, there has been a rise in the export permits sought by the trade. For the current annual year, permits have been issued for export of 1.31 lakh tonnes of coffee till July 17. During the corresponding period a year ago, permits had been issued to ship 1.12 lakh tonnes. So far, exporters have produced proofs for shipping out 1.08 lakh tonnes.

Demand for export permits could slow down as prices, which were up at the start of the month, have begun to dip