Arabica production may dip on unseasonal rains

Unseasonal rain in Arabica growing regions and white stem borer infestation are likely to drag down total Arabica production by 10 to 15 per cent in the 2006-07 coffee crop season, according to "realistic" trade estiamtes. But Robusta production is expected to be on target.

Due to these setbacks, total Arabica production is expected to close at 85,000 tonne. But, as per the Coffee Board post-blossom estimate, total Arabica crop size for 2006-07 is 1.04 lakh tonne.

Currently, unseasonal rains are playing havoc in Chikmagulur, Hassan and parts of Kodagu districts and the rampant incidence of white stem borer disease in Arabica plantations is also not making things easier for the farmers.

The Coffee Board expects total coffee production to be three lakh tonne "" Arabica 1.04 lakh tonne and Robusta 1.96 lakh tonne.

In 2005-06, the final crop estimate was 2.74 lakh tonnes. The Coffee Board is yet to publish final crop estimates for 2006-07.

As per Coffee Board post-blossom estimate for Karantaka, coffee production for the year is expected to touch 2.15 lakh tonne (Arabica: 83,000 tonne and Robusta: 1.32 lakh tonne).

Unseasonal rains have delayed or are hampering coffee picking in major regions.

Currently fly picking (ripening of fruit on the plant) is taking place. Adding to the burden are the cloudy skies, which is delaying drying of coffee berrys and beans.

"Nature is playing spoilsport and full-scale coffee picking is delayed by a month. The crop, which was expected to hit the market by mid-November, is now expected in the last week of December," a trade source said.

Total Indian coffee production in 2005-06 was 1.96 lakh tonne comprising 76,300 tonnes of Arabica and 1.19 lakh tonnes Robusta. This is slightly less compared to the production of 1.98 lakh tonne in 2004-05.

In 2005-06, the share of Arabica declined from 37.5 per cent to 35 per cent while that of Robusta increased correspondingly.