Brazil's coffee exports fall in 2012

Coffee exports from Brazil fell in 2012 by volume and value, to reach 28.2 million bags of 60 pounds and $ 12.8 billion respectively, said the annual Council of Coffee Exporters (Cecafé). The organization pointed out that the revenue from the sale of coffee in international markets was 27.1% lower than in 2011, while the number of bags fell 15.6% in the same comparison.
According to the Director General of Cecafé, Guilherme Braga, “presented the fall in the volume of exports can be explained largely by the rains in the producing regions, which eventually delay the harvest, as well as the preparation and marketing of the product. This reduction in volume thus had an impact on sales, which also suffered from the fall in prices reflected in variations in the average price”, said Guilherme Braga, who despite reductions considered the year as "positive”.
In December, exports decreased by 28.6% of turnover, compared to the same month of 2011, with $ 1.2 billion, and 3.8% in volume, with 2.8 million bags.
Of all coffee exported in 2012 was 84.1% of Arabica, the higher quality, 11.7% was soluble, 4.1% and 0.1% of Robusta ground.
The U.S. tops the list of buyers of grain exported by Brazil, with 19%, followed by Germany with 18%, Italy and Japan, both 9% and in the 5th position, Belgium, with 6%.
In the outlook for 2013, Guilherme Braga pointed out that Brazil will export between 30 and 31 million bags, representing a breakthrough between 7 and 10% and a growth in turnover which may be between $ 13.6 billion and $ 14.2 billion, driven by a "moderate increase" of the average price of the beans.
Source: Exame Abril