India: Coffee production is expected to grow for crop year 2013/14

Coffee production in India is expected to grow 9% for crop year 2013/14, which will begin on 1 October, as rains benefit crops in the main producing areas, according to the Coffee Board on Monday, 22. The country, which is the third largest coffee producer in Asia, to harvest 347,000 tonnes in 2013/14, compared to 318 200 tonnes in 2012/13, the state agency added.
The expected increase in production should improve export prospects, given that India exports 70% of the crop, said the council. In the period 1 January to 18 July, exports declined 4% year on year due to high domestic prices.
Karnataka, the main producing state of India, probably reap 249,115 tons, a volume 8% higher than in 2012/13, according to the agency. Already Kerala's second largest producing state of the country, the coffee harvest is expected to increase 10% next season.
This year, monsoon rains covered the whole Indian Territory until mid-June, a month earlier than usual. The rainfall between June 1 and July 21 were 16% above the annual average of the past 50 years. In India, the harvest of Arabica type - used primarily in premium coffee, usually begins in late November or early December, while Robusta begins in February.
Source: Dow Jones Newswires