India’s post blossom coffee crop for the year (2012-13) is estimated to remain nearly flat at 295,000 metric tonnes (MT), according to planters’ field survey.
However, the Coffee Board has estimated the coffee crop at 325,300 metric tonnes for the crop year commencing October 2012, showing a growth of 3.6 per cent over the previous year.
According to Karnataka Planters Association (KPA), the leading industry representative body, has pegged the production at 9.3 per cent lower than the Coffee Board estimates, at 295,000 metric tonnes. Of this, Arabica accounts for 85,000 metric tonnes and Robusta constitutes about 210,000 metric tonnes.
“This year is an off year for coffee in India. Due to patchy rainfall during blossom and pre-monsoon showers in about 40 per cent of the major growing regions there would be an adverse impact on the production. As a result, we have also noticed higher occurrence of white stem borer attack on the Arabica gardens this year compared to last year,” Marvin Rodrigues, Chairman, KPA said.
He said the KPA had projected lower than Coffee Board even for last year. This year, its estimates are about 10,000 MT lower than the Board. “The situation is slightly reverse than last year. For example, the Arabica production would be lower by 10,000 metric tonnes this year, while Robusta would be higher by the same quantity compared to last year,” he said.
According to Coffee Board the Post Blossom crop forecast for the year 2012-13 is placed at 325,300 MT, which is an increase of 11,300 MT or 3.60 per cent over the final estimate of previous year 2011-12 (314,000 MT). Of the total estimate, the Arabica and Robusta break up is 104,000 MT and 221,300 MT respectively. Arabica production is estimated to show an increase of 2,500 MT (2.46 per cent) over the final estimate of 2011-12, while Robusta increased by 8,800 MT (4.14 per cent).
More From This Section
“The blossom showers are reported to be normal in almost all the coffee growing zones, while there was delay in backing showers in certain pockets were reported. In general good crop condition and continued stable prices encouraged better husbandry practices have helped to invigorate production in Karnataka,” Coffee Board said on its website.
The production gain is likely to come from Karnataka to the tune of 13,860 MT and Non Traditional Areas with 1,460 MT while Kerala has shown a decline of 3,100 MT and Tamil Nadu by 910 MT compared to the previous 2011-12 season’s final estimate.
In Karnataka, all three districts are expected to show an increase in production over the previous year. Major increase is forecast from Kodagu district with 9,075 MT mainly accruing from Robusta (8,850 MT).
In Kerala, the post blossom forecast for the 2012-13 is placed at 65,000 MT, a marginal decline of 3,100 MT (4.55 per cent) over the previous 2011-12 final estimates of 68,100.
Tamil Nadu Post Blossom forecast is placed at 17,440 MT, which also showed a marginal decline of 910 MT (4.96 per cent) mainly in Shevroys region against the previous year final estimate of 18,350 MT.
In Non-Traditional areas of Andhra Pradesh and Orissa and North Eastern Region, the post-blossom forecast is placed at 8,000 MT against previous final estimate of 6,550 MT.
The higher forecast has come mainly from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha due to increase in bearing area.