The Karnataka Planters' Association (KPA) estimates 12 to 15 per cent drop in post-harvest of Arabica for the crop year 2010-11. The association says it estimates Arabica to be not more than 80,000 tonnes.

“This estimate is lower than our previous post-monsoon estimate of around 90,000 tonnes made in December before the commencement of the harvest season,” Mr Sahadev Balakrishna, Chairman, Karnataka Planters' Association, told Business Line .

“Almost all the zones have reported a high drop in their crop harvested, with only a few pockets picking an average crop as per their estimates,” he added.

The Coffee Board in December had estimated the Arabica crop to be around 95,000 tonnes and had said Arabica production has shown a decline of 4,500 tonnes (4.52 per cent) over the post-blossom forecast.

The Karnataka Planters' Association has made this estimate after getting feedback from all the prime Arabica growing areas of Chikmagalur (Giris, Mallandur and Mudigere), Hassan (Belur and Saklespur) and Kodagu (Somwarpet, Sunticoppa, Madapur) as more than 90 per cent of the Arabica harvest is completed.

According to Mr Marvin Rodrigues, Vice-Chairman, Karnataka Planters' Association, “Many estates have reported shortfall of 30 to 40 per cent of Arabica while picking and many zones/areas reported 200 kg an acre against normal average of 350-400 kg an acre.”

Mr Balakrishna said, “We have also got feedback from the major coffee curing works and the trade about the Arabica before arriving at the estimates.”

This drastic reduction in the Arabica crop is due to a combination of the reasons such as very early blossom showers in February-March of last year (2010) and followed by continuous wet conditions in April- May.

Heavy monsoon rains during July-August and later unprecedented heavy and continuous unseasonal rainfall during November and December.

Most Arabica estates have been affected due to the White Stem Borer pest that had ravaged the plantations, especially during the last five years.

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