World coffee output may rise marginally this yr

World coffee production stood at 145.1 mn bags during 2012-13 crop year (October-September)

Global coffee production is estimated to increase marginally to 145.8 million bags in the ongoing 2013-14 marketing year despite a small drop projected in major producing countries like Brazil, Indonesia and India.

World coffee production stood at 145.1 million bags during 2012-13 crop year (October-September). One bag contains 60 kg of coffee.

"Total coffee production in 2013-14 is provisionally estimated at 145.8 million bags, a 0.5 per cent increase on 2012-13,\" the International Coffee Organisation (ICO) said in a report.

Production of Arabicas is expected to decrease by 3.8 per cent to 85.4 million bags, but that of Robustas is projected to rise by 7.2 per cent to 60.3 million bags this year.

Among Arabica varieties, production of 'Other Milds' is likely to drop by 9.1 per cent due to ongoing outbreak of coffee leaf rust disease in Central America. Production of 'Brazilian Naturals' and 'Colombian Milds' is also expected to decline by 2.2 per cent each this year.

Coffee output in Brazil, the world's largest producer, is expected to decline by 3.3 per cent to 49.2 million bags in 2013-14, but a record volume for an off-year in Brazil.

Similarly, production in third largest producer Indonesia is expected to decline to 11.66 million bags from 12.73 million bags, while output in India, the world's fifth biggest producer, is also seen to be down at 5.19 million bags from 5.3 million bags in the review period.

Production is also expected to be lower in countries like Bolivia, Burundi, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Kenya, Mexico, Nicaragua, Tanzania and Uganda this year.

However, coffee production in Vietnam, the world's second biggest grower, is expected to increase to 27.50 million bags in 2013-14 marketing year, as against 22.03 million bags in the last year.

Coffee production in Ethiopia is likely to increase to 6.6 million bags from 6.36 million bags in the review period.