India's coffee exports up 55% to 40,000 tn in June

Buoyed by robust global demand, India's coffee exports jumped by almost 55% in June this year to 40,000 tonne. Shipments of the brew totaled 25,710 tonne in the corresponding month a year ago, according to data released by the Coffee Board.

"The export of coffee in the month of June is around 40,000 tonne," a coffee board official said. Shipment of coffee in June was low when compared to exports in April and May, the official added.

Compared to exports in May, shipments of coffee were down almost two-fold in June. India exported 80,367 tonne of coffee in May 2011. Likewise, exports in June were down by 6% compared to April this year. Exports in April stood at 42,611 tonne.  

"The downturn (coffee exports) was expected. Coffee exports have been down due to low carry-over stock and a drop in global prices, as the new crop has started to hit the market," All-India Coffee Exporter's Association President Ramesh Raja said.

Coffee exports grew in January-May as India took advantage of the global demand following production shortfalls in major growing countries Brazil and Columbia, he noted.

In the January-May period, exports of the brew were up by 43% at 1,81,308 tonne, compared to 1,27,160 tonne in the same period of the previous year. "In the coming months, we expect the coffee shipments to come down," Raja added.

India largely exports coffee to Italy, Germany, Belgium, the Russian Federation and Spain.