Global coffee exports rose 24 per cent to $16.5 billion last year even as the volumes increased only marginally to 96.7 million bags, the International Coffee Organisation (ICO) has said.
Exports in 2009 were worth $13.3 billion, while in volume terms 96.2 million bags of 60 kg each were shipped.
“The total value of exports in calendar 2010 is estimated at $16.5 billion for a volume of exports of 96.7 million bags, compared with $13.3 billion on a volume of 96.2 million bags in 2009,” ICO said.
According to the initial estimates, production in the crop year 2011-12 (October-September) is estimated at 130 million bags.
In 2010, worldwide consumption of coffee was around 134.8 million bags, indicating that the supply and demand balance may remain fragile.
Over the last decade, ICO data showed, coffee consumption has risen 28 per cent to 134.8 million bags in 2010, from 105.5 million bags in 2000.
“Demand prospects for coffee continue to be promising, particularly in emerging markets and exporting countries, in addition to the expansion of niche markets in traditional importing countries,” ICO noted.
The most notable increase was consumption in exporting countries, which rose 56.6 per cent last year to reach a level of 41.3 million bags, compared with 26.4 million bags in 2000, ICO said.
Similarly, consumption in emerging markets increased 33.3 per cent from 13.7 million bags in 2000 to 18.2 million bags in 2010, it added.
In the traditional coffee markets, consumption has risen 15 per cent to 75.2 million bags in 2010 against 65.4 million bags in 2000, it said.