Prices Firm

An anticipated fall in the Indian coffee output in the 1997-98 (October-September) season had pushed up its prices, which are expected to remain firm until mid-1998, industry officials said yesterday. "There is a shortage of Arabica coffee due to lower harvest which has led to a rally in coffee prices week after week," said Mohammed Kasim, a leading coffee dealer in Coonoor. Traders said Arabica parchment grades were currently ruling at Rs 146 a kg which was trading at about Rs 124 a kg same time a year ago. Coffee Board has estimated an Arabica coffee output of 104,205 tonnes this season. Arabica accounts for nearly 44 per cent of the total coffee output.