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World coffee market ends 2017/18 in surplus

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World coffee production in coffee year 2017/18 is estimated 5.7 per cent higher at 164.81 million bags as output of Arabica increased by 2.2 per cent to 101.82, and Robusta grew 11.7 per cent to 62.99 million bags, according to the latest World Coffee Report.

According to the report, the larger supply in coffee year 2017/18 is reflected in increased shipments in August 2018, as global exports increased 6.3 per cent to 11.1 million bags compared to August 2017. In coffee year 2017/18, world consumption is estimated 1.8 per cent higher at 162.23 million bags, but coffee production exceeds this by 2.58 million bags. This surplus has contributed to the low prices this season.

Meanwhile, coffee prices continued their downward trend as the monthly average of the ICO composite indicator fell to US $98.17 cents/lb in September 2018, 4.1 per cent lower than in August 2018. This represents the lowest monthly average composite indicator since October 2006 when it reached US $95.53 cents/lb. In September 2018, the daily composite indicator remained below 100 US cents/lb until 28 September when it reached 100.83 US cents/lb.

World production in coffee year 2017/18 includes part of the new crop for producers with crop years commencing in April and July. Production of both Arabica and Robusta increased in 2017/18, though most of the increase came from Robusta, which grew 11.7 per cent to 62.99 million bags compared to coffee year 2016/17.

The increase above comes primarily from Vietnam where its Robusta output is estimated 15.5 per cent higher at 28.03 million bags and Brazil, where Robusta production continues to recover, increasing by 16.1 per cent to 13.46 million bags in coffee year 2017/18. In India, which produces both types of coffee, Robusta is estimated to have grown by 12.3 per cent to 4.09 million bags due to adequate rainfall and greater availability of irrigation water.

Arabica output is estimated 2.2 per cent higher at 101.82 million bags. While Colombiaā€™s production is estimated at 14 million bags, 4.3 per cent lower than in coffee year 2016/17 due to unfavourable weather conditions, production in the other four largest Arabica producers increased. Brazilā€™s Arabica production in coffee year 2017/18, which includes part of its new crop, is estimated 3.5 per cent higher at 44.23 million bags. Production in Honduras is estimated at 7.7 million bags, 3.3 per cent higher than in 2016/17, which marks the fourth consecutive year of increase.

Ethiopia harvested 7.65 million bags, an increase of 4.8 per cent compared to last coffee year. Peruā€™s Arabica output is estimated 0.8 per cent higher at 4.29 million bags. The larger supply in coffee year 2017/18 is reflected in increased shipments. In August 2018, global exports of all types and forms of coffee increased by 6.3 per cent, to 11.1 million bags, compared to August 2017.

Arabica shipments grew by 6.7 per cent to 6.95 million bags, and Robusta by 5.7 per cent to 4.16 million bags. The increase in Arabica shipments consisted largely of Brazilian Naturals, which rose by 14.7 per cent to 3.3 million bags in August 2018 while exports of Colombian Milds decreased 11.6 per cent to 1.11 million bags. In the first 11 months of coffee year 2017/18, world coffee exports are 1.6 per cent higher than in the same period for coffee year 2016/17.

Arabica shipments for October 2017 through August 2018 are 0.2 per cent higher than in 2016/17, as increased exports of Other Milds offset decreases in both Colombian Milds and Brazilian Naturals.

Shipments of Robusta grew 3.9 per cent to 42 million bags for October 2017 to August 2018. Total exports of green Robusta have increased in each month since May 2018. Brazilā€™s green Robusta exports for June to August 2018 are 1.19 million bags, 17 times greater than the same period one year ago and accounting for 78.8 per cent of shipments for October 2017 to August 2018.

Although Vietnam is nearing the end of its crop year, green Robusta shipments have remained high, reaching an estimated 6.43 million bags for June to August 2018, 21 per cent greater than in 2017. Indonesia is the third largest exporter of green Robusta for June to August 2018, with shipments reaching 0.77 million bags.

However, this is 62.9 per cent lower than the same period in 2017, as increasing domestic consumption and flat productivity levels reduced the volume available for export. During the same period, Uganda shipped 0.88 million bags of green Robusta coffee and India exported 0.73 million bags. While coffee consumption is estimated 1.8 per cent higher in coffee year 2017/18 at 162.23 million bags, coffee production exceeds this by 2.58 million bags.

This surplus has contributed to the low prices this season, with the composite indicator averaging 111.51 US cents/lb for October 2017 to September 2018. In comparison, the average for the composite indicator in 2016/17 was 132.43 US cents/lb, reflecting the 3.43 million bag deficit that coffee year. Additionally, exports in coffee year 2017/18 have increased compared to 2016/17, a year in which record export volumes were recorded.

This has put further pressure on prices as the market was well-supplied at the start of the coffee year even with growing consumption. Stocks of green coffee in importing countries, including free ports, have remained at high levels in the last two years. After reaching 17.94 million bags at the end of December 2010, stocks grew to a record level of 26.44 million bags at the end of June 2017. Stocks in importing countries declined to 24.64 million bags at the end of June 2018, but this is the third highest volume at the end of June in the last eighteen years.

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