World coffee exports rising

The International Coffee Organisation, which is composed of 38 exporting countries (with more than one-third coming from Africa) and six importing countries, has reported that world coffee shipments increased in 2012 over the previous year.

Exports amounted to 9.42 million bags in December 2012, compared with 9.14 million in December 2011. In the first quarter of coffee year 2012/13 (Oct/12 to Dec/12) shipments have increased by 15% to 28.3 million bags compared to 24.6 million bags in the same period in the last coffee year.

In calendar year 2012, exports of Arabica totalled 66.53 million bags compared to 67.04 million bags last year; whereas Robusta exports amounted to 46.62 million bags compared to 37.53 million bags