For the 2019-2020 crop, production is estimated at 1.91 million quintals, about 12% more than in the previous cycle, partly due to the renewal of some coffee plantations.
The Coffee Institute of Costa Rica (Icafé) forecasts that coffee production will increase by 196,760 sacks of 46 kilograms of processed beans, from 1,717,659 quintals reported in the 2018-2019 cycle to 1,914,419 projected for the 2019-2020 harvest.
5.5 million bags of 46 kg have been exported to date, registering a decrease of 3% compared to the 5.7 million bags sold in the same period of the 2014-2015 harvest.
From a report by the Honduran Coffee Institute:
Exports to date total 5.51 million bags of 46 kg, showing a decrease of 3.02% compared to the 5.68 million exported in the same period of 2014-2015.The value of exports is 690 million dollars showing a decrease of 23% compared to the 897 million recorded on this date in 2014-2015, which is due to the drop in prices during the current harvest.
It has been reported that in the past two years the proportion of healthy kernal in a sample of pergamino coffee went up to 81%, while residues from threshing decreased from 20% to 19%.
The presence of an outbreak of beetles has been detected in coffee plantations in the states of Espirito Santo and Sao Paulo, where they have declared a state of phytosanitary emergency.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Agriculture in Brazil:
The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Storage (MAPA by its initials in Spanish) has declared a state of phytosanitary emergency in Sao Paulo and Espirito Santo because of an imminent risk of an outbreak of Hypothenemus hampei, popularly known as Coffee Berry Borer (CBB) or 'broca' in Spanish.
The fungus has propagated in more than 70% of plantations, similar to the level seen in 2012, when the outbreak of coffee rust first emerged in the region.
Of the 14 departments 13 have already reported infestation on coffee farms especially in medium and large sized shrubs.
Cerinal Café has begun operating its new coffee processing plant in the town of Barberena, Santa Rosa, from where it estimates it will export 250,000 bags per year.
Using the high quality pergamon and oro coffee varieties processed in the new plant, the company plans to supply the markets of Japan, the USA and Europe.
René Kanne, general manager, told Elperiodico.com.gt that "... The design is totally different, we have two warehouses, one for pergamon coffee and one for oro coffee; all of these products are high quality so that they can be sent to the projected markets. "
In El Salvador coffee exports have to wait for the incoming government to finalize the appointment of the new executive director of the Salvadoran Coffee Council.
Adding to existing problems in the coffee export sector, which has seen foreign sales decrease by 56% in the fourth month of the year compared to the same period in 2013, the Salvadoran Coffee Council (CSC) is warning of the possibility that exports of the grain will be further hindered by the process of appointing new management, a job of the incoming government.
Although it is clear that Central American coffee farmers are suffering from a serious crisis because of the spread of the rust blight, an objective assessment is needed to address the problem responsibly and effectively.
EDITORIAL:
Newspaper reports, which have gathered statements in isolation from coffee producers and unions, are at odds with other reports which have announced increases in the current crop results compared to previous years.
More and more coffee farmers are establishing their own processing plants so that they can directly offer international buyers a distinguished product.
According to figures from the Instituto del Café de Costa Rica (Icafe) in 2010 there were 94 recorded plants, while in 2010 this figure reached 161.
The proliferation of small businesses who process less than 1,000 quintals of the grain a year, shows that success of the strategy lies in differentiating the product according to quality, obtaining prices that go up to $100 per quintal.
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