São Paulo – In April, exporters of coffee recorded their best result in the last 12 months, according to figures supplied by the Brazilian Coffee Exporter Council (Cecafé). During the month, export revenues reached US$ 681.422 million, an increase of 88.9% over the same month of last year. In April 2010, revenues totalled US$ 370.728 million.
There was also an increase in the number of bags shipped. Last month, Brazil exported 2,702,858 bags of coffee. The volume represents a 17.6% increase over April 2010, when 2,297,384 bags were shipped. Out of the bags exported, 78% were of the Arabica variety, 12% were Robusta and 10% were soluble.
During the first four months of 2011, Europe was the region that imported the most Brazilian coffee, accounting for 56% of total purchases, followed by North America (22%), Asia (17%) and South America (3%). The top importing country was the United States. From January to April, the United States imported 2,157,463 bags, 20% of the total. Germany imported 2,011,404 bags (18%), Italy, 1,059,605 bags (10%) and Belgium, 940,073 bags (9%). Japan is the fifth leading importer of Brazilian coffee. In the first four months, the Asian country purchased 710,630 bags, or 6% of the total.
The bulk of coffee exported from Brazil leaves the country through the Port of Santos, which shipped 79.1% of the coffee exported from Brazil from January until April. Another 12.7% were shipped through the Port of Vitória, in the state of Espírito Santo, and 6% through the Port of Rio de Janeiro. According to the Cecafé, Brazil shipped 34,248,155 bags in the last 12 months, generating US$ 6.7 billion in revenues.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
