“This year, India’s rainfall is less than normal, so the country’s coffee output could fall to around 300,000 tonnes in 2017 – 2018 (as of October 1). Coffee production this year dropped 5.3% and was the lowest since 2009-2010, “said MM Chengappa, president of the Karnataka Farmers Association (KPA).
“Drought and hot weather will be a good condition for the boron to thrive, especially for the beetles that harm the arabica tree,” Chengappa told Reuters.
Typically in three districts of Kodagu, Chikmagalur and Hassan in the state of Karnataka, which produces two thirds of India’s coffee production. Since the beginning of the rainy season (beginning June 1), these counties received three rainy rains, but the rainfall was lower every year.
Earlier in March, India’s robusta areas also suffered from less rainfall at the time of flowering. At present, despite the rainy season, low rainfall slows down the development of coffee trees, said Anil Kumar Bhandari, a large coffee grower in India.
Chengappa predicts India’s arabica output will fall by 6.4 per cent to 90,000 tonnes in 2017 – 2018. Robusta production is forecast to fall by 4.8 per cent to 210,000 tonnes.
Although only the world’s sixth-largest producer, yields in India may also push up world coffee prices. Currently, world coffee prices are trading near the lowest level in more than a month.
In India, most of the coffee growing area is robusta; Only a few Arabica areas. Main markets for coffee exports are Italy, Germany and Belgium. Declining coffee production will also affect India’s export performance this season, an export business in the Bengaluru district.
