Coffee exports from Brazil ended up losing some strength, which was already expected due to the crop change and lower production reaped in 2019/20. In June, 2.64 million bags of green and soluble coffee were shipped, down 33% from May, according to Secex, and down 15% from the same period last year. Thus, the country closes the first half of 2020 with 19.13 million bags shipped, down 4% from the same period last year.
Shipments throughout the 2019/20 business season hit 39.31 million bags, down only 1% from the previous season. Coffee export revenue reached USD 4.98 billion, falling 4.5% compared to last season. The numbers differ slightly from Cecafé, which points to 39.93 million bags for the season (data from Cecafé, including roasted coffee).
Brazil’s 20/21 harvest is 71% complete, but well behind 2019
Taking advantage of the drier weather, the harvest went up 8% last week. The weather must keep favoring the coffee harvest and drying next week. Despite the good progress, the harvest remains well behind the same period last year.
The weekly survey by SAFRAS indicates that, until July 21, the harvest of the 20/21 season in Brazil reached 71% of the estimated production of 68.10 million 60-kg bags. As a result, 48.55 million bags have already been reaped. The work is below the same time last year, when it reached 83% of production, but already very close to the 5-year average of 72% for the period. The faster harvest pace in recent weeks justifies the approach to the average.
In the case of arabica, the harvest is 63% complete, against 78% at the same time last year and in line with the 5-year average. The average profile of the arabica crop keeps indicating a season of good quality in terms of cup and bean size.
The conillon harvest is nearly over with 92% of production reaped. In general, it remains below the same period last year (94%) and also well below the 5-year average (96%). Conillon production in Espírito Santo is below expectations, which should lead to a downward revision in the state’s outturn.