Coffee exports jump 49% in first half of 2010

India’s coffee exports surged 49 per cent in the first six months of the year to 153,000 tonnes on the back of higher domestic output, according to Coffee Board data. The country had exported 103,000 tonnes in the same period last year.

Of the total exports during the January-June period of 2010, normal exports accounted for 129,000 tonnes, while 24,671 tonnes were re-exports. In the year-ago period, normal exports comprised 95,061 tonnes and re-exports 8,002 tonnes.

“The shipments have risen sharply in the first half of the year on account of higher domestic output in 2009-10 crop year (October-September),” a Coffee Board official said.

The country’s coffee output has increased to 289,000 tonnes in the current year as against 262,000 tonnes in the previous year.

In the next crop year starting October this year, coffee output is estimated to rise six per cent to 308,000 tonnes, of which 208,000 tonnes would be the Robusta variety and the remaining Arabica.

“The maximum rise in production of coffee this year is expected in Karnataka, followed by Kerala, where good rain last year helped healthy blossoming and fruit bearing,” a senior official said yesterday.

The Board is hoping the Chikmagalur, Kodagu and Hassan districts of Karnataka produce 6,000 tonnes more coffee next year at 219,000 tonnes while Kerala produces 65,775 tonnes in 2010-11.