Buoyed by robust global demand, the country’s coffee exports jumped by almost 55 per cent in June this year to 40,000 tonnes.
Shipments of the brew totalled 25,710 tonnes in the corresponding month a year ago, according to data released by the Coffee Board.
“The export of coffee in the month of June is around 40,000 tonnes,” a coffee board official told PTI.
Shipment of coffee in June was low when compared with exports in April and May, the official added.
Compared to exports of the brew in May, shipments of coffee were down almost two-fold in June. India exported 80,367 tonnes of coffee in May 2011.
Likewise, exports in June were down by 6 per cent compared to April this year. Exports in April stood at 42,611 tonnes.
“The downturn (coffee exports) was expected. Coffee exports have been down due to low carry—over stock and a drop in global prices, as the new crop has started to hit the market,” All-India Coffee Exporter’s Association President, Mr Ramesh Raja, said.
Coffee exports grew in the January-May, 2011, period as India took advantage of global demand opportunities following production shortfalls in major growing countries Brazil and Columbia, he noted.
In the January-May 2011 period, exports of the brew were up by 43 per cent at 1,81,308 tonnes, compared with 1,27,160 tonnes in the same period of the previous year.
India largely exports coffee to Italy, Germany, Belgium, the Russian Federation and Spain.