Rust will affect 20% of coffee production in Central America

The rust (roya) and other diseases harm in 20% of coffee production in Central America in the new coffee crop year 2012/13, according to estimates by the Central Organization of Coffee Exporters (Orceca).
"About 20% of the Central American coffee, which equates to approximately 4 million quintals (bags of 46 pounds, will be affected by rust and other diseases," said
Marcelino Samayoa, a member of the entity. It is estimated that Nicaragua during the current cycle, lose 600 thousand quintals (460,000 60-kilogram bags) Guatemala 650 000 quintals (about 500 thousand sacks); Honduras backyards 1.800 million (1.380 million bags), El Salvador 400 000 quintals (307,000 bags); Costa Rica 200 000 quintals (153,000 bags), and Panama 60 000 quintals (46 million bags), according to a document prepared by the Organization.
The Orceca was founded in San Pedro Sula (Honduras) in 1975 and is made by the associations of exporters of coffee from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. The agency held last week in San Salvador, a special meeting to address the problem of rust and, through a statement, called on governments Central American to unify efforts and working out a coffee policy. This policy should include, among other things, "effective elements to combat rust, soft loans and appropriate deadlines for the renovation of coffee," explains the document.
"Since entering the rust in Central America in 1976, the disease had never manifested itself in such a significant way as now, with evidence that 100% of the coffee plantations have suffered infection," he added.
The document also outlined that this year the rust was accompanied by an attack of anthracnose, which has caused the collapse of part of the grains before ripening.
To date, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Honduras declared a state of emergency due to phytosanitary incidence of rust, while El Salvador and Nicaragua launched plans to combat the disease.
Samayoa, who is also general manager of the Association of Coffee Exporters and Processors (Abecafé), El Salvador, noted that governments Central American do nothing to combat this fungus that attacks coffee plants, "the coffee will end up in Central America".
"We are taking all possible measures with the international agencies and hope that governments join in this joint effort to combat the rust," he emphasized.
Source: Revista Cafeicultura