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The country’s coffee output touched a record 3.27 lakh tonnes (lt) in the 2014-15 on favourable weather conditions despite the impact of white stem borer infestation, and is poised to increase further in 2015-16 starting October.
Aided by timely and widespread pre-monsoon showers, the crop size for 2015-16 is seen rising to about 3.55 lakh tonnes – a growth of 8.75 per cent over previous year – according to the Coffee Board’s post-blossom forecast released on Monday.
The 2015-16 forecast comprised 1.10 lt of Arabicas, the mild and superior variety, that is seen rising 12.55 per cent or by 12,300 tonnes over 2014-15 final estimates, and 2.45 lt of Robusta, a growth of 7 per cent or 16,300 tonnes.
The post-blossom estimate for 2015-16 is higher by about 3.15 per cent over the similar initial forecast of 3.44 lt for 2014-15.
Rise in production “Overall, the crops prospects of 2015-16 at post-blossom stage are quite encouraging with a promise of highest record crop thanks mainly to the timely and adequate blossom and backing showers in the traditional areas and non-traditional areas,” the Coffee Board said in a statement.
The main increase in production would be in Karnataka, the largest producer and to the tune of 23,270 tonnes, followed by non-traditional areas with 2,325 tonnes.
The post-blossom estimate for Karnataka for 2015-16 is pegged at 2.56
lt comprising 83,670 tonnes of Arabica and 1.72 lt of Robusta.
Production in all the three key districts – Kodagu, Chikmagalur and Hassan – is set to witness an increase with Arabicas projected to rise by around 12 per cent (8,915 tonnes) and Robustas by around 9 per cent (14,355 tonnes) over previous year. Besides the timely rains, the prevalence of good prices encouraged growers to adopt better husbandry practices which have helped to invigorate production, the Board said.
In Kodagu, the output is projected to grow by 15,955 tonnes or 13.07 per cent mainly driven by increase in Robusta, while in Chikmagalur the projected rise is around eight per cent or 6,170 tonnes.
State-wise break up The forecast has pegged output in Kerala at 69,800 tonnes, up 3 per cent over previous year’s final estimates of 67,700. The Kerala coffee zones also have received adequate and timely blossom and backing showers during this year and robustas have accounted for the increase.
In Tamil Nadu also, the blossom and backing showers were timely and adequate leading to good crop prospects this year.
The post-blossom forecast for this year is placed at 18,800 tonnes, an increase of 5 per cent over last year’s final crop of 17,875 tonnes. In non-traditional areas of Andhra Pradesh and Orissa and North Eastern Region, the post-blossom forecast is placed at 10,500 tonnes as against previous final estimate of 8,195 tonnes.
The higher forecast has come mainly from Andhra Pradesh due to increase in bearing area in these states.
The 2014-15 final crop comprised of 98,000 tonnes of arabicas and 2.29 lakh tonnes of robusta.
The final output is marginally lower than the post-monsoon forecast for 2014-15 and was largely attributed to the decline in arabicas in Karnataka and the impact of damages caused by HudHud cyclone in Andhra Pradesh.
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