Global coffee production during the 2009-10 crop year may dip below last year's level of 128.1 million bags due to bad weather in top three growing countries — Brazil, Vietnam and Colombia, according to the International Coffee Organisation (ICO).
If production falls are confirmed, the global coffee exports are also expected to decline this year, it said. The coffee year runs from October to September. One bag contains 60 kg coffee.
ICO Executive Director Nestor Osorio said in a report: "Production (coffee) falls are expected in Brazil and other important producing countries, where the quality of the coffee crop may be affected by bad weather conditions".
Production in Brazil, the world's biggest coffee producer, is estimated to be 39 million tonnes in the 2009-10 season, against 45.99 million bags in a year ago, he said, adding, most of the crop has already been harvested here. Similarly, output in Vietnam and Colombai, the world's second and third biggest coffee producers respectively, may decline because of adverse weather conditions, he added.
According ICO data, these two countries had produced 16 million bags and 8.7 million bags each in the 2008-09. ICO said, however, production is expected to rise in Asia, Africa and Central America. The report also highlighted that a likely dip in production and lower opening stock could weigh on global coffee prices.
