Board cuts '13-14 coffee estimate

As expected by the growers and industry, India's post-monsoon coffee production for 2013-14 crop year has been estimated around 311,500 tonnes, about 10.23 per cent lower than the post-blossom estimates made by the Coffee Board earlier.

In its post-blossom estimates, the board had projected a record output of 347,000 tonnes. The board has now come out with a revised estimate as the crop was damaged due to heavy rainfall last year in many growing regions. Of the total estimates, the break up for Arabica and Robusta is 102,000 tonnes and 209,500 tonnes respectively.

Arabica production estimate has shown a decline of 9,000 tonnes (-8.11 per cent) while Robusta declined by 26,500 tonnes (-11.23 per cent) over the post-blossom estimate of 2013-14, the board said on its website. The decline is mainly seen in Karnataka to the tune of 31,415 tonnes (-12.61 per cent) while Kerala has shown a marginal decrease of 3,275 tonnes (-4.64 per cent) compared to the post-blossom estimate.

In Karnataka, Kodagu district experienced a decline of 17,845 tonnes (-13.28 per cent) with Arabica falling -12.55 per cent to 3,025 tonnes and robusta falling -13.43 per cent to 14,820 tonnes, followed by Chikmagalur (8,060 tonnes or -10.26 per cent) and Hassan (5,510 tonnes or -15.25 per cent) over the post-blossom forecast.

"The reasons for the reduction in production estimates is attributed to the long period of drought after the blossom showers, followed by an extremely harsh monsoon. The monsoon, which started on time, continued unabated very heavily with some areas witnessing continuous rainfall for over 60 days," the Coffee Board said.

The continuous showers led to soil saturation and wet feet conditions resulting in defoliation, berry drop and incidences of stalk rot and black rot. Uprooting of shade trees too has been reported. Prior to the onset of the monsoon, there was a heavy proliferation of White Stem Borer because of the long period of drought during April/May, but the subsequent monsoon rains helped prevent the further spread of the pest.

Taking into account these factors, the post-monsoon crop estimates for Karnataka is placed at 217,700 tonnes with a break up of 78,530 tonnes of arabica and 139,170 tonnes of robusta. In Kerala, the adverse effect on the crop due to premature berry drop, stalk rot and black rot diseases due to continuous rains was less prominent overall, but had resulted in a marginal decline in Waynad and Travancore regions over the post-blossom estimates.

Therefore the post-monsoon forecast is placed at 67,275 tonnes (Arabica 2,000 tonnes and Robusta 65,275 tonnes) against the post-blossom estimates of 70,550 MT.

In Tamil Nadu, post-monsoon forecast is placed at 18,875 tonnes as against 19,125 tonnes of post-blossom estimates which is a marginal decrease in production of 250 tonnes mainly observed in Adalur and Bodinayakanur of Pulneys region due to deficit in rainfall.

In Non-Traditional areas of Andhra Pradesh and Orissa and North Eastern Region, the post monsoon forecast is placed at 7,650 tonnes against post blossom estimate of 8,010 tonnes.