Coffee exports up 38% in Apr-July on strong global demand

India's coffee exports rose sharply by 38% to 1,45,505 tonne till July of the current fiscal on the back of strong global demand and high international prices, according to the Coffee Board of India.     

The country had shipped 1,05,345 tonnes during April-July in 2010-11 fiscal, the official data showed.     

"Coffee exports have risen so far, both in volumes and value terms. Sluggish global supply and a peak rise in international prices have been a good advantage for Indian coffee exporters," a senior Coffee Board official told PTI.     

In value terms, coffee exports have increased to Rs 1,977 crore during April-July of 2011-12 fiscal, as against Rs 1,031 crore in the year-ago, he said.     

The official said the domestic exporters have been able to fulfil the global orders because of higher domestic production, which stood at 302,000 tonnes in 2010-11 fiscal and is likely to jump to 322,250 tonnes this year.     

Besides, global prices have remained firm due to tight supply-demand situation in Columbia and Brazil. As a result, unit value realisation for Indian exporters has been much better than the last year, the official noted.     

The data showed that exporters were able to ship a tonne of coffee at an average price of Rs 1,35,897 in April-July of this fiscal, as against Rs 97,922 tonnes in the same period last year.     

The Board also said that the country's total coffee exports rose to 3,11,798 tonnes in the first 10 months of 2010-11 coffee year ending September, as against 2,20,358 tonnes in the year-ago period.     

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