Coffee picking (harvest) for crop year (2011-12) has commenced since mid November in all the coffee growing districts (Kodagu, Chikmagalur and Hassan) in Karnataka.

Traditionally, picking of Arabica crop starts mid-December, but this year it has already commenced. Robusta is also to follow the same trend and is expected to commence in first week of December.

“Coffee picking is early in the areas which had early rains. Especially, Mudigere in Chikmagalur, Madikeri and few northern parts of Kodagu,” said Mr Marvin Rodrigues, Chairman Karnataka Planters' Association.

“So far, the crop is looking reasonably good. But the weather is the key, it should not rain for the next two to three months. Due rains in the first week of November, there were some reports of crop damage,” he added.

According to Coffee Board's post blossom estimate for the year 2011-12 country's coffee crop is 3,22,000 tonnes consisting of 104,000 tonnes of Arabica and 217,000 tonnes of Robusta.

The Karnataka Planters' Association has agreed with Coffee Board figures for Arabica (i.e. 10 per cent higher production) though the base this year is lower at 95,000 tonnes.

“For Robusta data, we have requested the Coffee Board to undertake a fresh survey to get the accurate production data as we feel that several new areas under Robusta might have come into bearing and thus, the final figure may vary with Board estimate,” said Mr Rodrigues.

A farm gate trader from Kodagu said, “Coffees has begun to trickle in to the market at a slow pace. Prices at the farm gate is little firm at the moment, early arrivals of Arabica Parchment is quoted at Rs 10,500 for 50-kg bag, Arabica Cherry is trading at Rs 5,100 for 50-kg bag.”

“Volume in Robusta is yet to pick up and is expected to come in to market only in first week of December. Currently previous year Robusta Parchment is quoted at Rs 5,200 for 50-kg bag and Robusta Cherry is priced around Rs 2,700 for 50-kg bag,” he added.

anil.u@thehindu.co.in

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