PRESIDENT, UPASI AT THE UPASI-KPA COFFEE CONFERENCE HELD AT BANGALORE, ON 7th NOVEMBER 2006

摘要

After a long spell of distress, the coffee plantations are showing signs of recovery. I am not saying that we are out of crisis yet, but we are definitely in a better position compared to what it used to be, in the last 6 years. The prices are higheras result of a world production deficit in 2005/06 and the sharp reduction in the stock levels. Final estimates on the World coffee production indicate a total production of 106.6 million bags compared to 113.8 million bags in the previous year. A cursory glance at the production figures reveals that it was mainly South America, and Brazil, that greatly contributed to the decline, although output was also lower in Africa and Asia due to adverse weather and climatic conditions. Production is estimated torebound strongly in 2006/07; the early indications are that production would be around 122 million bags. The optimistic projections on the global demand front indicates that consumption can reach 117 million bags at the most, which would mean that we might again revert to a surplus situation. The only solace is the low producer and consumer stocks.