India's coffee output pegged at record 3.5 lakh tons in 2017-18

Coffee output in India, is pegged to be a record 3.50 lakh tonnes in the 2017-18 marketing year started this month on higher acreage. According to the Coffee Board, the final output stood lower by 10.34 percent at 3.12 lakh tonnes in 2016-17 marketing year from 3.48 lakh tonnes in the previous year. 

Releasing the first crop estimate, the Coffee Board said the crop's forecast for 2017-18 is placed at 3.50 lakh tonnes, comprising 1.03 lakh tonnes of Arabica and 2.47 lakh tonnes of Robusta varieties. Higher output is mainly attributed to the additional bearing area of about 13,500 hectare in traditional growing areas of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. 

The Board however



noted that the initial estimates were made in May and would be revised factoring crop losses, if any, in the next estimate.

Coffee output in Karnataka is pegged at 2.51 lakh tonnes in 2017-18 as against 2.21 lakh tonnes last year. The state's Arabica output is forecasted to increase to 75,300 tonnes from 70,510 tonnes, while Robusta production is pegged at 1,76,460 tonnes as against 1,51,235 tonnes last year. 

The production is Kerala, is estimated to be higher by 8.31 percent at 68,520 tonnes this year as against 63,265 tonnes last year. In Tamil Nadu, the production is forecasted to increase by 17.29 percent to 19,160 tonnes from 16,335 tonnes in the said period.