São Paulo – Coffee exports to the Arab countries generated over US$ 20 million in March, growth of 44% over the same month last year, according to figures disclosed by the Brazilian Coffee Exporter Council (Cecafé). Shipments totalled 109,700 60-kilogram bags of coffee, growth of 5% in the same comparison.
The great increase in revenues, as against the modest increase in volume exported is a result of the higher price of the commodity on the international market.
The main markets in the Arab world, according to the Cecafé were Lebanon, which got 37.5% of the total imported by the region in March, Syria, with 36%, Saudi Arabia (9.5%) and Tunisia (8.5%).
In the accumulated result for the first quarter, sales to the region generated US$ 58.9 million, 36% more than in the same period in 2010. Shipments reached 351,000 bags, 7% more than in the first three months of last year.
The main destinations in the quarter were Syria, with 39% of the total imported by the region, Lebanon, with 31%, and Tunisia (8%).
On the whole, coffee exports from Brazil totalled US$ 1.86 billion in the first three months of 2011, growth of 61% over the first quarter last year. Shipments abroad totalled 8.2 million bags, growth of 11% in the same comparison.
*Translated by Mark Ament
