EUROPEAN UNION IMPORT AND EXPORT DATA FOR 1st HALF2010

摘要

Earlier this year we commented on the FOL European Union Import and Export data for full calendar year 2009. fn our conclusion we noted that the numbers showed a drop in activity in all the reported sections with the exception of roast and ground imports. Naturally we were interested in all the different categories but as always the green coffee imports figures were by far and away the most important set of numbers in the total data. Taking into account stock movements we found that theoretical disappearance of green coffee had dropped by a worrying 2.07 mln bags or 4.5%. The European roasters seemed quite relaxed about the situation saying trading conditions were tough but not disastrous. We were anxious to see the FOL first half 2010 numbers to see if they were right or just talking their book. Would the first half 2010 numbers show that consumption was in a tail spin or that things were still OK in the EU coffee business?