Brazil is the world's largest coffee producer and a leading exporter. But its coffee exports fell last month because of a damaged crop and shipping difficulties.

Brazil's coffee exporters' association Cecafe said the country exported 2.74 million bags (60 kg each) of coffee in September, 29 per cent less than in the same period last year.

Cecafe's head, Nicolas Royda, said shipping problems have not improved. Exporters are struggling to get container and cargo bookings, and shipping companies are repeatedly suspending loading. There is fierce competition among exporters to secure containers and loading bookings, and loading and container charges are very high.

He said the United States is the main buyer of Brazilian coffee, and it and other coffee-importing countries are also suffering. Those involved are having a real struggle to deal with the disruption in the supply chain.

Brazil exported 2.42 million bags of arabica last month, down 24 per cent on the same period last year. Robusta exports fell 51 per cent, to 326,045 bags in September.

After severe frost in July, arabica prices in Brazil reached a record high, pushing up demand for robusta in the country.

Citing Reuters.

Source: Bonik Barta. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.