São Paulo – Brazilian coffee exports generated US$ 5.66 billion last year, growth of 33% as against 2009. Shipments exceeded 33 million 60-kilogram bags, growth of 9% in the same comparison. Revenues were record and the volume traded was the greatest in the last five years, according to figures disclosed on Monday (10) by the Brazilian Coffee Exporter Council (Cecafé).
"Among the factors contributing to this growth was the reduction of production in countries like Colombia, due to climate factors, the greater consumption and the higher global demand," said the director general at Cecafé, Guilherme Braga, according to a company press statement.
The volume exported, according to the executive, exceeded the initial forecast: 31 million bags. Arabica coffee answered to 86% of foreign sales, the soluble product for 10% and robusta for 4%.
Among the buyers, by region, Europe imported 54% of the total traded by Brazil, followed by North America (22%), Asia (17%) and South America (4%). By country, the lead was in the hands of the United States, followed by Germany, Italy and Japan.
This year, according to the Cecafé, the volume exported should drop moderately due to the biennial characteristic of the crop: that is, one year there is a greater crop, followed by one year with a smaller one. The crop is estimated to be between 29 million and 30 million bags.
In the case of revenues, the organisation evaluates that "perspectives for the market are pleasing regarding the probable price trend". It is expected for revenues to total US$ 6 billion to US$ 6.4 billion.
*Translated by Mark Ament
